The numer two Lindenwood Lion football team plays what may be their most important regular season home game this weekend when number eight Missouri Valley comes to Harlen C. Hunter Stadium tonight.

Both the Lions and Vikings are 2-0 on the young season. Lindenwood has jumped out to 49-0 halftime leads in victories over Evangel and Central Methodist. Missouri Valley edged out Baker in week one of the season before blowing out Culver-Stockton last Saturday.

The highlight of the game will be one of the NAIA’s top offenses going against one of its top defenses. Lindenwood is averaging 68.5 points and 676.0 total yards of offense a game. Missouri Valley has not allowed a defensive touchdown and is giving up just 78.5 yards a game.

On the other side of the ball, Lindenwood’s defense has been nearly as good as Missouri Valley, allowing just one late touchdown on the year. The Vikings offense can also put up points as they proved last week with 70 against Culver-Stockton.

This matchup usually has huge implications on the conference and national scale. The winner will have a leg up in the 2010 Heart of America Athletic Conference race. The last four years, the winner has eventually advanced to at least the NAIA semifinals during postseason play.

The Lions will take on the Vikings tonight in St. Charles.

Kick off is set for 6:00.