The Lindenwood football team grabbed an impressive 35-13 win against Tennessee State in Nashville, boosting their record to 4-5 this season. This game showcased a strong bounce-back performance after previous challenges.
Tennessee State struck first, scoring right away with a touchdown, taking a quick 7-0 lead. Lindenwood responded swiftly, with Jalen Smith making an essential catch on a crucial third down. Steve Hall then tied the game by rushing into the end zone. Tennessee State managed to get ahead again with a field goal, leading 10-7 after the first quarter.
As the second quarter began, Lindenwood switched gears and focused on their ground game. Name Glantz scored a touchdown, pushing the Lions ahead to 14-10. Jared Rhodes then showcased his speed, running for a 32-yard touchdown, and Hall added another score, bringing the halftime lead to 28-10.
The Lions surged in the second half as well. Alex Dawkins made a game-changing fumble recovery early, leading to another touchdown from Rhodes. Tennessee State added a field goal later but couldn’t close the gap, ending the game with Lindenwood firmly in control.
Game Highlights:
- Jared Rhodes: 15 carries for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
- Steve Hall: 19 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
- Sanjay Strickland led the defense with seven tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack.
Coach Jed Stugart praised his team’s effort, saying, “We focused on basics and consistency. I’m proud of how the team responded.”
As for their next challenge, Lindenwood will face Western Illinois on November 8. This match-up promises to be another test as they seek to build on this momentum.
In broader trends, college football teams often see fluctuations in performance throughout the season. According to recent statistics from the NCAA, road teams tend to struggle compared to home teams, but Lindenwood’s resilience speaks volumes about their growth and determination this year.
For more insights into college sports performance trends, check out this detailed NCAA report.
