The Lindenwood Lions opened their season with a narrow 20-16 victory over Charleston Southern, a game that swung back and forth before the home team seized control in the final minutes.
A Slow Start
Both squads struggled to find rhythm in the first quarter, resulting in a 0-0 deadlock. Charleston Southern broke the silence with a field goal at 12:16 of the second quarter, taking a 3-0 lead.
Lindenwood answered quickly, engineering a 64-yard drive that culminated in a field goal to knot the score at 3-3. The momentum shifted when Isaac Edwards plunged into the end zone with just 13 seconds left in the half, giving the Lions a 10-3 advantage.
Offensive Spark
The third quarter belonged to Pops Battle, whose 25-yard reception and a six-yard rush pushed the lead to 17-3. His 14 catches for 142 yards underscored a dominant passing attack that kept the defense on its heels.
Defensively, the Lions were relentless. King Smith added two sacks, while Isaac Edwards contributed four tackles and an interception for six yards, halting any Charleston Southern comeback attempt.
Fourth Quarter Drama
A 28-yard field goal by Graham extended the lead to 20-10, but Charleston Southern refused to fold. A fourth-down conversion cut the margin to 20-16 with just over two minutes remaining.
The Lions sealed the win with a decisive first-down run by Robert Giaimo, preserving the 20-16 final score and sparking celebration among the home crowd.
Looking ahead, Lindenwood will travel to face Stony Brook, New York, on Thursday, September 3, with kickoff scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT, promising another compelling matchup.