Lindenwood Lions football

Lindenwood Lions
First season 1990
Head coach Patrick Ross
8th year, 74–22  (.771)
Home stadium Harlen C. Hunter Stadium
Stadium capacity 7,450
Stadium surface Enviroturf
Location St. Charles, Missouri
Conference MIAA (2012)
All-time record 127–115–2 (.525)
Postseason bowl record –
Colors Gold and Black            
Website LU Lions Football

The Lindenwood Lions football team represents Lindenwood University in football. Lindenwood is currently is in the process of transitioning to the NCAA Division II and are a future member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). In 2012-2013, the school will be a provisional member of the NCAA. The fourth year, 2013–2014, the NCAA will vote to make Lindenwood an active member.[1]

Lindenwood was previously a member of the NAIA and played in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) since 1996. The Lions play in Harlen C. Hunter Stadium on the campus of Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri, which has a seating capacity of 7,450.

Contents

History

Conference affiliations

Early history

Lindenwood University football began in 1990 under head coach David Schroeder. LU competed as an independent for the first four seasons. The program's first win came in the first ever football for the university on September 8, 1990 when the Lions defeated Dana College.[2] The Lions finished the inaugural season with a record of 6-4.[2]

Despite a 3-5-0 start to the first half of the 1991 season, a program highlight came on October 12, 1991 when Lindenwood tied 17-17 on the road in Birmingham, Alabama with NCAA Division III Alabama-Birmingham before the UAB program upgraded to NCAA Division I.[2] Following that game, the Lions lost the following game to Benedictine College but finished the season with a three-game win streak to finish the season 5-4-1.[2]

Jeff Driskill became the second coach in program history in 1992.[2] In 1994 Lindenwood became one of the founding members of the Mid-States Football Association - Midwest League along with schools five schools from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. After three 2-win seasons Dan Kratzer took over the program and lead the Lions to a 4-7-0 season in 1995.

In 1996 the program became a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference.[3] The Lions recorded back-to-back 4-6-0 seasons in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 the program saw drastic improvement when Kratzer lead the lions to an 8-2-0 regular season.[3] Including a 34-33 win against NCAA Division I Butler University.[3] The win marked the first and only win over an NCAA DI opponent, as LU lost 16-27 to Butler in 1997 and 6-27 to Valparaiso University in 2002.[3][4] The 1996 also marked the first time Lindenwood football received a bid to the NAIA Playoffs before losing in the first round 10-12 to Southwestern College.[3] In 2000 Kratzer lead the Lions to their first of two bowl appearances, when the Lions received a bid to the Wheat Bowl - NAIA Kickoff Classic against Concordia University (Nebraska).[4]

Rick Gorzynski became the fourth coach in program history in 2001 and after three sub .500 season in which the Lions recorded two 3-8-0 seasons and a 1-10-0 season Patrick Ross became the fifth football coach in Lindenwood history.[4] Ross quickly turned the program around from a 3-8-0 season in 2003 to a 11-1-0 season in his first as LU head coach in 2004.[4] The Lions also won their first HAAC Championship after an 11-0-0 regular season, the only loss, a 19-20 loss in the opening round of the NAIA Playoffs to Hastings College.[4]

Recent history

Under Ross the Lions recorded their first playoff win in program history in the 2008 when the Lions defeated Lambuth University 65-48.[5] That same season Lindenwood advanced to the NAIA Semifinal Game with a quarterfinal 34-31 win over Morningside College.[5] Lindenwood would eventually be defeated by the defending NAIA National ChampionsCarroll College in the semifinal game 37-38.[5]

In 2009, Ross lead to become the HAAC Champions for the third-straight season. The Lions entered the 2009 NAIA Playoffs and won 42-14 over Langston University. In the second round game Lindenwood defeated Ottawa University (KS) to reach the semifinal game where LU again faced Carroll College.

Lindenwood defeated the Carroll Fighting Saints 42-35 to reach the NAIA Football National Championship for the team's first and only appearance. LU became the NAIA national runner-up in 2009 after a 22-25 loss to University of Sioux Falls Cougars[6] and came into the 2010 season ranked #2 in the nation in 2010 NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Spring Poll.[7][8]

In June 2010 LU applied to join the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), as part of the conference's expansion from 12 to 16 members for 2012.[9] Lindenwood was approved for membership into the MIAA on September 24, 2010 with the affiliation taking place in 2012-2013 school year.[10][11]

Under Ross the Lions set a school offensive record with a 90-19 week 7 win over Culver-Stockton. Lindenwood also moved from fifth to first in average offensive points in all of college football with a 56.5 scoring average.[12] In the NAIA, Saint Xavier ranked second with 52.6[13] and the only NCAA program scoring over 50 is Oregon with 54.3.[14] In that win Lindenwood set school offensive records with 721 yards of total offense, second in program history, record 376 rushing yards, and record 8 rushing touchdowns.[15]

Despite only losing one close game in the regular season to MidAmerica Nazarene University 20-26 on September 25, 2010, Lindenwood Football suffered a 38-46 loss at home in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series to the University of Saint Francis.[16] LU finished the 2010 season 9-2 overall, ranked 1st in scoring with an average of 52.5 points per game and 1st in total offensive yards with an average of 551.5 yards per game.[17] Senior quarterback Philip Staback finished the season ranked 1st in pass efficiency and total passing yards per game.[18]

As part of the transition to Division II, the 2010 schedule would be the last NAIA schedule played by Lions Football, as it was announced the Lions will play an independent schedule of NCAA Division I FCS, Division II, and NAIA schools.[19][17] Lindenwood opened the 2011 on the road at Northern Colorado when kicker, James Neal kicked a 21-yard as time expired to win the game.[20] The win was the programs first over a Division I football team since Lindenwood defeated Butler 34-33 in 1998. The team then returned the 2011 home opener that saw the Lions beat former conference and NAIA rival, Graceland 67-10.[21] The win marked the ninth straight home opener win and improved the program to a 16-6 all-time record on home openers.[22] In the third game of the season, saw Lindenwood play against its first Division II opponent; in which the Lions defeated Saint Joseph's (IN) 55-14.[23] After back-to-back losses, including 21st ranked Division I FCS South Dakota, Lindenwood rebounded with four straight wins.[21] The winning streak was the longest of the season and included a 41-35 win over perennial Division II power, Texas A&M–Kingsville.[21] The team finished the season splitting wins against two future MIAA rivals, when the team lost to Central Missouri 28-47 in the final home contest of the season; followed by a 48-14 win on the road to end the season at Central Oklahoma.[21]

Coaches

The current head football coach at Lindenwood is Patrick Ross, who has held the position since 2004. The program began in 1990 under David Schroeder and has accumlated an overall record of 127 wins, 115 losses, and 2 ties.(as of conclusion of the 2011 season)[24]

Coaching records

Coach First Season Last Season Record
David Schroeder 1990 1991 11-8-1 (0.575)
Jeff Driskill 1992 1994 6-24-1 (0.209)
Dan Kratzer 1995 2000 29-35-0 (0.453)
Rick Gorzynski 2001 2003 7-26-0 (0.212)
Patrick Ross 2004 present 74-22-0 (0.771)

Championships

Conference championships

Lindenwood has won a conference championship 4 times. As of 2010, all in in the Heart of America Athletic Conference:[25]

Year Conference Coach Record
2004 Heart of America Athletic Conference Patrick Ross 11-1-0
2007 Heart of America Athletic Conference Patrick Ross 10-2-0
2009 Heart of America Athletic Conference Patrick Ross 13-1-0
Total conference championships 3

Bowl games

Lindenwood has participated in two bowl games with an overall record of 0 wins and 2 losses. In 2000, the Lions went to the first bowl game in school history, the Wheat Bowl, against Concordia University (Nebraska) and lost 14-31.[4] 2006 saw Lindenwood return to the Wheat Bowl, this time against Northwestern Oklahoma State University. NWOSU defeated the Lions in a close game 14-13.[26]

Date Result Bowl Opponent Score Head Coach
2000 Loss Wheat Bowl Concordia University (Nebraska) 14 - 31 Dan Kratzer
2006 Loss Wheat Bowl Northwestern Oklahoma State University 13 - 14 Patrick Ross

Season-by-season records

Year Coach Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Rank#
David Schroeder (1990–1991)
1990 David Schroeder 6-4-0 0-0-0 na
1991 David Schroeder 5-4-1 0-0-0 na
Jeff Driskill (1992–1994)
1992 Jeff Driskill 2-8-0 0-0-0 na
1992 Jeff Driskill 2-8-1 0-0-0 na
1994 Jeff Driskill 2-8-0 0-5-0 6th
Jeff Driskill: 6-24-1 0-5-0
Dan Kratzer (1995–2000)
1995 Dan Kratzer 4-7-0 2-3-0 4th
1996 Dan Kratzer 4-6-0 -- -
1997 Dan Kratzer 4-6-0 -- -
1998 Dan Kratzer 8-3-0 -- - NAIA FCS 1st round
1999 Dan Kratzer 5-5-0 -- -
2000 Dan Kratzer 4-8-0 -- -
Dan Kratzer: 29-35-0 --
Rick Gorzynski (2001–2003)
2001 Rick Gorzynski 3-8-0 -- -
2002 Rick Gorzynski 1-10-0 -- -
2003 Rick Gorzynski 3-8-0 -- -
Rick Gorzynski: 7-26-0 --
Patrick Ross (2004–present)
2004 Patrick Ross 11-1-0 10-0-0 1st NAIA FCS 1st round
2005 Patrick Ross 7-4-0 7-3-0 4th
2006 Patrick Ross 5-7-0 5-5-0 6th
2007 Patrick Ross 10-2-0 9-1-0 1st NAIA FCS 1st round
2008 Patrick Ross 11-2-0 9-1-0 2nd NAIA FCS Semifinal
2009 Patrick Ross 13-1-0 10-0-0 1st NAIA FCS Championship
2010 Patrick Ross 9-2-0 9-1-0 2nd NAIA FCS 1st round
2011 Patrick Ross 8-3-0 na na
Patrick Ross: 74-22-0 59-11-0
Total: 127-115-2
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title
†Indicates BCS bowl game. #Rankings from final Coaches' Poll.

2011 season

As of November 12, 2011:[21]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 3, 2011 1:30 PM at Northern Colorado* Nottingham Field • Greeley, CO   W 22-20   4,393
September 10, 2011 6:00 PM Graceland University* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 67-10   3,156
September 17, 2011 6:00 PM Saint Joseph's (IN)* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 55-14   2,204
September 24, 2011 6:00 PM at Missouri S&T* Allgood-Bailey Stadium • Rolla, MO LUTV L 13-19   2,500
October 1, 2011 4:00 PM at #21 South Dakota* DakotaDome • Vermillion, SD   L 0-30   7,293
October 8, 2011 7:00 PM at Texas A&M–Kingsville* Javelina Stadium • Kingsville, TX   W 41-35   9,700
October 15, 2011 1:30 PM Kansas Wesleyan* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 61-16   2,903
October 22, 2011 1:30 PM #8 Azusa Pacific University* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 38-31   1,161
October 29, 2011 1:30 PM Culver-Stockton* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 70-24   1,821
November 5, 2011 1:30 PM at Central Missouri* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV L 28-47   4,531
November 12, 2011 2:00 PM at Central Oklahoma* Wantland Stadium • Edmond, OK   W 48-14   1,800
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll, NAIA, NCAA DI FCS. All times are in Central Time.

2010 season

As of conclusion of season:[27]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance
September 2, 2010 6:00 PM Evangel University #2 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 68–7   1,946
September 11, 2010 6:00 PM at Central Methodist #2 Davis Field • Fayette, MO   W 69–7   500
September 18, 2010 6:00 PM #8 Missouri Valley College #2 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 45–27   3,444
September 25, 2010 6:00 PM at #6 MidAmerica Nazarene #2 Pioneer Stadium • Olathe, KS   L 20–26   1,000
October 2, 2010 6:00 PM Avila University #6 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 53–9   2,105
October 9, 2010 1:00 PM at Baker University #6 Emil S. Liston Stadium • Baldwin City, KS   W 48–14   750
October 16, 2010 1:30 PM Culver-Stockton #6 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 90–19   3,232
October 30, 2010 1:00 PM at Benedictine #5 Larry Wilcox Stadium • Atchison, KS   W 40–24   1,000
November 6, 2010 1:30 PM Graceland University #5 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV W 77–33   1,522
November 13, 2010 1:00 PM at William Jewell #5 Greene Stadium • Liberty, MO   W 29–18   800
November 20, 2010 1:30 PM #10 Saint Francis (IN)* #5 Harlen C. Hunter Stadium • St. Charles, MO LUTV L 38–46   1,392
*Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from NAIA. All times are in Central Time.

Notable players

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lindenwood University Announces It Will Apply For NCAA Membership". Lindenwood University. Feb 12, 2010. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2010/2/12/GEN_0212102104.aspx?path=general. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
  2. ^ a b c d e "Lindenwood Yearly Results: 1990-1994". College Football Data Warehouse. 2010. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/yearly_results.php?year=1990. Retrieved January 11, 2011. 
  3. ^ a b c d e "Lindenwood Yearly Results: 1995-1999". College Football Data Warehouse. 2010. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/yearly_results.php?year=1995. Retrieved January 11, 2011. 
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Lindenwood Yearly Results: 2000-2004". College Football Data Warehouse. 2010. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/yearly_results.php?year=2000. Retrieved January 11, 2011. 
  5. ^ a b c "Lindenwood Yearly Results: 2005-2009". College Football Data Warehouse. 2010. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/yearly_results.php?year=2005. Retrieved January 11, 2011. 
  6. ^ "Sioux Falls repeats as NAIA champ". ESPN. December 19, 2010. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4757227. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
  7. ^ "2010 NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Spring Poll". NAIA. April 19, 2010. http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041910aaa.html. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
  8. ^ Nelson, Kathleen (August 25, 2010). "Lindenwood facing great expectations". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/article_75473f03-0dea-52de-9e71-fe63c3cec79f.html?flv=1. Retrieved August 29, 2010. 
  9. ^ Toppmeyer, Blake (July 6, 2010). "What a 16-member MIAA would mean". Maryville Daily Forum. http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/homepage/x41620181/Commentary-What-a-16-member-MIAA-would-mean. Retrieved August 6, 2010. 
  10. ^ Robinson, Sam (September 24, 2010). "MIAA Officially Ups Membership To 16". News Press Now. http://www.newspressnow.com/localnews/25734034/detail.html. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 
  11. ^ "MIAA Extends Invitations to Kearney, Lindenwood". MIAA. September 24, 2010. http://themiaa.com/general/releases/09242010. Retrieved September 26, 2010. 
  12. ^ "2010 Lindenwood Football Stats". NAIA. October 18, 2010. http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MFB&sea=NAIMFB_2010&team=2241. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 
  13. ^ "2010 Saint Xavier Football Stats". NAIA. October 18, 2010. http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MFB&sea=NAIMFB_2010&team=2267. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 
  14. ^ "2010 Oregon Ducks Football Stats". ESPN. October 18, 2010. http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/_/id/2483/oregon-ducks. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Lindenwood Sets Offensive Records In Homecoming Victory". Lindenwood University. October 16, 2010. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2010/10/16/FB_1016100943.aspx. Retrieved October 19, 2010. 
  16. ^ Dannelly, Jason (November 20, 2010). "Saint Francis (Ind.) Shocks Lindenwood in NAIA Championship Series First Round Upset". Victory Sports Network. http://football.victorysportsnetwork.com/article.php?articleID=12924. Retrieved November 22, 2010. 
  17. ^ a b Robinson, Keith (August 17, 2011). "Lindenwood football looks forward to new challenge". KSDK. http://www.ksdk.com/sports/article/272090/6/Lindenwood-football-looks-forward-to-new-challenge. Retrieved August 22, 2011. 
  18. ^ "2010 Lindenwood Football Stats". NAIA. November 21, 2010. http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MFB&sea=NAIMFB_2010&team=2241. Retrieved November 22, 2010. 
  19. ^ "Lindenwood Football Releases 2011 Schedule". Lindenwood University. January 11, 2011. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2011/1/11/FB_0111111208.aspx?path=football. Retrieved January 14, 2011. 
  20. ^ Robinson, Keith (September 3, 2011). "Lindenwood defeats NCAA I Northern Colorado". KSDK. http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/275039/6/Lindenwood-defeats-NCAA-I-Northern-Colorado-. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  21. ^ a b c d e "2011 Football Schedule". Lindenwood University. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/schedule.aspx?path=football&. Retrieved November 27, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Football Hosts Graceland in Home Opener on Saturday Evening". Lindenwood University. September 7, 2011. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2011/9/7/FB_0907114211.aspx. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  23. ^ "Football Picks Up First Victory Over NCAA Division II Program". Lindenwood University. September 17, 2011. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/news/2011/9/17/FB_0917111426.aspx. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  24. ^ "Lindenwood University Football Coaching Records". College Football Data Warehouse. 2011. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/coaching_records.php. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  25. ^ "Lindenwood University Football Championship History". College Football Data Warehouse. 2011. http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/div_ii/independents/lindenwood/championships.php. Retrieved November 28, 2011. 
  26. ^ "NWOSU Wins Wheat Bowl. Defeats Lindenwood 14-13". NAIA. August 29, 2006. http://naia.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/082906aaa.html. Retrieved July 21, 2011. 
  27. ^ "2010 Football Schedule". Lindenwood University. 2010. http://www.lindenwoodlions.com/schedule.aspx?path=football&schedule=434. Retrieved July 21, 2011. 
  28. ^ "DeDe Dorsey Stats". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10341. Retrieved July 21, 2011. 
  29. ^ Reedy, Joe (July 28, 2011). "Bengals go Green at wide receiver". Cincinnati Enquirer. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110728/SPT02/107290342/Bengals-go-Green-wide-receiver?odyssey=nav%7Chead. Retrieved July 29, 2011. 
  30. ^ "Brian Schaefering #91 DE". NFL. 2011. http://www.nfl.com/players/brianschaefering/profile?id=SCH032499. Retrieved January 26, 2011. 
  31. ^ Sloan, Dusty (July 13, 2011). "Colonials Preview - The Glanville Era in Hartford Ready to Begin". UFL. http://www.ufl-football.com/news/colonials-preview-glanville-era-hartford-ready-begin. Retrieved July 29, 2011. 

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