Lindenwood Falls In Season Opener At Kansas

KANSAS CITY, KS — The Lindenwood University football team lost its 2024 season opener, Thursday night at Children’s Mercy Park, in a 48-3 bashing at the hands of FBS No. 22-ranked Kansas. The Jayhawks are building a new stadium on campus, so the game was played at the home of the Kansas City area’s MLS team, Sporting KC.

This was Lindenwood’s first game against an FBS team and through the first quarter, things didn’t look so bad. Kansas led 7-0 at the end of the first, but Lindenwood was holding its own and had even forced a couple of turnovers to give itself some momentum.

Unfortunately, took a mighty turn. The Jayhawks scored four touchdowns in the second quarter and turned what had been a close game into a blowout.

“Our goals coming into the game was how are we going to handle the big stage, and play solid fundamental confident football,” Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart said. “The 1st quarter I felt like we did a good job doing that. Big plays took momentum and it was hard to get back. We’ll see the film to see the areas to improve. But was proud of our effort and how we fought till the end.”

A Lindenwood ballcarrier is tackled by a Kansas defender during Thursday night’s NCAA Football game at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Kansas running back Devin Neal had a big night. The 5-11 senior rushed for 112 yards on eight carries and scored two touchdowns.

Fellow senior Luke Grimm caught six passes for 111 yards and also scored a touchdown.

The key blow in the game though, was probably the pick-six, interception return for a touchdown by KU’s Mello Dotson. That gave the Jayhawks a 20-0 lead midway through the second quarter and was the play that seemed to fire up the entire Kansas team and crowd.

“Mello’s pick six was a really big momentum swing for us,” Kansas head coach Lance Leipold said. “I was pleased with the second half because we were able to play a lot of guys, but still move the ball. I thought it was clean football on both sides. Good first game overall.”

Lindenwood’s offense was led by new quarterback Nate Glantz, who completed 18 passes for 127 yards, with the one interception. Redshirt freshman Steve Hall led the Lions with five receptions, while junior Abe Haerr led the club with 58 receiving yards.

Hall also led the Lions with 26 rushing yards.

On defense, linebackers Ethan Stuhlsatz and Devon Edwards both had eight tackles to lead the team, while fellow linebacker Sanjay Strickland had five stops and a forced fumble. Safety Eric Gant recovered that fumble and cornerback Tre Bell had an interception.

Kansas QB Jaylon Daniels throws a pass, while Lindenwood’s Donnie Wingate defends. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Lindenwood’s lone scoring drive came in the fourth quarter, when the Lions drove 75 yards on 14 plays to reach Kansas’ 17-yard line. But a third down pass from Glantz to Hall fell incomplete and forced Lindenwood to try a field goal to get points on the board.

Logan Seibert made that kick — a 34-yarder with six minutes to go — to get the Lions on the board.

Lindenwood will host its own home opener next week. On Saturday, September 6, when the Lions will welcome Central Arkansas to Hunter Stadium. The Bears are ranked No. 13 in FCS football and will begin their season this Saturday, when they’ll play Arkansas State.

2024 LINDENWOOD LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept. 7 (Saturday) vs. Central Arkansas -- 6 pm
Sept. 14 (Saturday) at Missouri State -- 6 pm
Sept. 21 (Saturday) vs. St. Thomas -- 1 pm
Sept. 28 (Saturday) at Eastern Illinois* -- 2 pm
Oct. 5 (Saturday) vs. Tennessee State* -- 1 pm
Oct. 12 (Saturday) vs. Charleston Southern* -- 1 pm
Oct. 19 (Saturday) at Gardner-Webb* -- 3 pm
Oct. 26 (Saturday) vs. Western Illinois* -- 2 pm
Nov. 2 (Saturday) at Tennessee Tech* -- 1:30 pm
Nov. 9 (Saturday) vs. SEMO* -- 1 pm
Nov. 23 (Saturday) at Tennessee-Martin* -- 2 pm
* - denotes Big South-OVC Football Association game