Lindenwood Lions Football - History - Recent History, Move To The NCAA

Recent History, Move To The NCAA

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. 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. 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. The win marked the ninth straight home opener win and improved the program to a 16-6 all-time record on home openers. 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. After back-to-back losses, including 21st ranked Division I FCS South Dakota, Lindenwood rebounded with four straight wins. The winning streak was the longest of the season and included a 41-35 win over perennial Division II power, Texas A&M–Kingsville. 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.

Lindenwood played its first full NCAA Division II and MIAA schedule during the 2012 season. The Lions defeated Lincoln University 49-28 in its MIAA debut and followed with a 35-14 home-opening win in week two against Southwest Baptist. The team lost to Central Missouri, but followed the loss with a three game win streak that included a come-from-behind win versus non-conference opponent, Glenville State. The Lions then lost back-to-back games to ranked opponents, Emporia State and Washburn.

Senior Day versus Missouri Southern State marked a big turning point in the season for the Lions. Down 14-0 early, Lindenwood rallied with 31 unanswered points to take a 31-14 lead. Missouri Southern State scored late in the half but Lindenwood continued to pull away in the second half, adding 14 points while holding MSSU to just 9 in the second half. The 45-30 win snapped the team's losing streak but the win was not without a big loss. Late in the game, Lindenwood freshman cornerback Sterling Thomas suffered a severe spinal cord injury. The team rallied around Thomas' injury and finished the regular season with back-to-back wins, including a 44-33 win against the defending national champion, Pittsburg State.

The Lions finished the regular season with an 8-3 overall record and 7-3 conference record. The team ranked fourth in the conference after being selected 8th in the preseason polls. With the top-four finish, the Lions were selected to play in the Mineral Water Bowl to play Winona State. In the team's first NCAA bowl game, the Lions kept the game close through the first quarter and a half but WSU scored 24 unanswered points to stretch their lead. Both teams exchanged touchdowns in the fourth quarter to hand Lindenwood its fourth loss of the season and bring the Lions overall record to 8-4.

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