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<\/a><\/p>\nKANSAS CITY, KANSAS – AUGUST 29: Running back Steve Hall #22 of the Lindenwood Lions runs against the Kansas Jayhawks at Children\u2019s Mercy Park on August 29, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga\/Getty Images) Getty Images<\/p>\n
Lindenwood is a relative newcomer to the FCS level, moving up to Division I in 2022 upon joining the Ohio Valley Conference. It\u2019s been a quick ascent for the Lions, whose program was first established in 1990 as a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), where they stayed until 2011 beofre changing affiliation to the NCAA as a Division II independent.<\/p>\n
Since inception, LU has accumulated an overall record of 186-189-2, with six NAIA Playoff appearances\u2014 including a national championship game against NAIA power Sioux Falls in 2009\u2014 and two NCAA Division II Playoff appearances in 35 seasons of play, making them a fairly respectable program overall.<\/p>\n
The Lions walk into Oxford as winners of their last two contests to even their overall record at 2-2. LU defended home ground for the first time in 2025 last weekend, preventing Stony Brook from completing a second-half comeback rally to win 30-27.<\/p>\n
Now, they have their eyes set on Miami as a potential FBS upset after failing to do so against Appalachian State two week ago.<\/p>\n
Lindenwood runs a ground control offense, predicated on maintaining time of possession, while deploying a traditional 4-3 base defense.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Nate Glantz leads the attack as the Lions\u2019 most dynamic player on offense, completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,030 yards (10th in FCS) and 10 total touchdowns (five passing, five rushing), while also second-best on the team with 118 yards on the ground.<\/p>\n
At halfback is Jared Rhodes, who leads the team with 52 carries for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Of those 196 yards, 85 came last week and was a career-high for Rhodes in a game where LU eclipsed 100 yards for the first time in several games. Freshman receiver Rico Bonds is the skill position player to keep an eye on after his breakout performance vs. Stony Brook. Bonds had eight catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns, and sits 26th in the FCS with 301 receiving yards. He has also caught a touchdown in each of the last three games.<\/p>\n
The offensive line has not been something to write home about in pass protection, allowing 12 sacks\u2014 the most in the OVC\u2014 through their first three games. However, they improved to zero sacks vs. Stony Brook, and have allowed the Lions to maintain the time-of-possession advantage in the majority of the team\u2019s games so far. Last week against Stony Brook, LU held the ball for over 37 minutes of game clock\u2014 five minutes more than their average in 2025.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the Lions haven\u2019t played complimentary football on the defensive side, logging in at 102nd in the FCS with 452 total offensive yards per game (102nd overall) and 14 touchdowns through four games, while averaging 27.5 points per game. It\u2019s a bend-don\u2019t-break unit which banks on turnovers and situational play to succeed. They\u2019ve gotten the former right, with seven turnovers caused (including five recovered fumbles!) so far to sit at 17th in FCS, but haven\u2019t figured out the latter, giving up 48.2 percent of third-down attempts.<\/p>\n
Lindenwood have been busy on the defensive side, with 11 players hitting double-digits in tackles. Up top the tackle chart is linebacker Jacob Waller, who has 39 tackles with 4.5 tackles-for-loss. Safety Eric Gant stands out amongst the back end players, with 27 tackles (23 solo!) and an interception on the season. Linebacker Sanjay Strickland (29 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, sack) and defensive end Tajay Passmore (15 tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, two forced fumbles) will be players to watch for in the pass rush.<\/p>\n
Who are they playing? Western Michigan, on Saturday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m. Eastern timeLocation: Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, MichiganViewing options: The game will be available only on ESPN+; a valid subscription is required for viewing.Radio options: Robin Hook (play-by-play) and John Creek (color) will provide the WMU call for Jack 106.5 FM<\/a>.All-time series: First-ever meeting MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 07: Rhode Island Rams quarterback Devin Farrell (7) runs with the ball during the college football game between the Rhode Island Rams and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on September 7, 2024, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Rhode Island has established themselves as a contender in the Coastal Athletic Association in recent years, and now find themselves square in FCS Top 10 contention, ranked #7 by the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and #6 in the Stats Perform FCS Poll.<\/p>\n The Rams sit 4-0 as they look forward to their trip to Kalamazoo, reeling off wins against Campbell, Stony Brook and a ranked Holy Cross squad in their first three weeks before dispatching LIU\u2014 who beat EMU on the road earlier this year\u2014 28-7 last weekend.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n