Caldwell’s 4 TDs Carry Lindenwood To Comeback Win Over E. Illinois

CHARLESTON, IL — Jeff Caldwell caught four passes in the second half and scored touchdowns on all them to help lead the Lindenwood University football team to a thrilling 28-25 come-from-behind win over Eastern Illinois, in the Big South-OVC Football Association opener for both teams, Saturday afternoon at O’Brien Field.

Caldwell didn’t touch the ball in any way, shape, or form in the first half. But in a magical second half, every time he touched the ball he scored, which helped Lindenwood rally from a 17-0 deficit for an incredible win on the road.

“Love a team that loves and believes in each other,” Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart said. “We continue to learn the importance of starting fast and not digging holes early, and we’ll continue to drive that home weekly, but they have resolve and never quit. And you always have a chance with a team that has that mindset.”

Caldwell, who came into the game as the Big South-OVC’s second-leading receiver in catches and yards, and the conference leader in yards per catch, finished the day with four catches for 115 yards and the four touchdowns. But it was how Caldwell scored his four touchdowns that turned what began as a bad day into a breath-taking one for the Lions.

Lindenwood trailed 17-0 midway through the third quarter, when quarterback Nate Glantz tossed a quick pass to Caldwell that fooled the Eastern Illinois offense and went for an 11-yard touchdown. Then after the defense forced a three-and-out and a short punt by Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood took over on its own 42.

Glantz hit Drew Krobath for a 36-yard gain on the first play. Then on the next snap, he lifted a deep pass toward the left sideline, which Caldwell found at the last second and caught for a touchdown that pulled the Lions to within 17-14.

The fourth quarter began with another stop by the Lindenwood defense. That led to an eight-play, 74-yard drive, which was capped by a Glantz-to-Caldwell 8-yard touchdown pass to gave the Lions their first lead of the day.

Lindenwood got the ball back again, a few minutes later, and Caldwell delivered his biggest play of the day, when he broke free for a 74-yard touchdown catch and run that put the Lions ups 28-17.

Eastern Illinois nearly rallied to tie. The Panthers scored a touchdown and two-point conversion with 3:36 left to pull within three points.

Then after a stop, the Panthers got the ball back with just under two minutes left, needing to drive downfield to get a field goal that could tie the game.

The Panthers got to Lindenwood’s 13-yard line and attempted a 30-yard field goal with 10 seconds left. But the kick sailed wide right and Lindenwood won the game.

Glantz finished the day 14-of-19 for 283 yards and the four touchdowns. Running back Cortezz Jones also had a big day. He carried the ball 20 times for 104 yards and also had 19 receiving yards.

Defensively, the Lions were led by linebacker Vincent King, who had 10 tackles and a quarterback hurry. Teammates Jordan Knapke and Devon Edwards had eight tackles and seven tackles, respectively.

Kicker Logan Seibert was four-for-four on extra-point attempts and forced touchbacks on three of his five kickoffs.

Lindenwood, which began the season with three straight losses, has now won two in a row and has a 2-3 overall record and a 1-0 conference mark.

The Lions will look to keep the winning momentum going when they host Tennessee State in another Big South-OVC game, next Saturday at Hunter Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.

2024 LINDENWOOD LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Oct. 5 -- vs. Tennessee State* -- 1 pm
Oct. 12 -- vs. Charleston Southern* -- 1 pm
Oct. 19 -- at Gardner-Webb* -- 3 pm
Oct. 26 -- vs. Western Illinois* -- 2 pm
Nov. 2 -- at Tennessee Tech* -- 1:30 pm
Nov. 9 -- vs. SEMO* -- 1 pm
Nov. 23 -- at Tennessee-Martin* -- 2 pm
* - denotes Big South-OVC Football Association game