The Lindenwood football team earned a postseason bowl berth on Sunday when it accepted an invitation to play in the Mineral Water Bowl. The Lions will take on Winona State on December 1 at noon in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
The Mineral Water Bowl has been a NCAA Division II Bowl since 2000 between members of the MIAA and NSIC (Northern Sun). The MIAA holds a 9-2 advantage in the Mineral Water Bowl. The majority of the games have been competitive with seven of the 11 games being decided by 10 points or less. Lindenwood finished its first season on the D-II level in the MIAA with an 8-3 overall record. It finished 7-3 in conference play and tied for fourth. The Lions have won their last three games and averaged 42.3 points.
The Lions have been led offensively by the duo of running back Denodus O’Bryant and wide receiver Andrew Helmick. The two have combined for 29 of Lindenwood’s 45 touchdowns this season. O’Bryant is averaging 107.8 rushing yards a game, while Helmick is averaging 105.6 receiving yards per game.
Defensively, Lindenwood has allowed less than 20 points in five of its 11 games this season. Pierre Desir leads the team with nine interceptions. Lindenwood has recorded 82 tackles for loss and 29 sacks.
Winona State went 9-2 in the regular season with every game being a NSIC contest. The Warriors are also on a three-game winning streak in which they have scored 56.3 points a contest. Winona State’s offense is led by Rayon Simmons who is third in the nation with 144.2 rushing yards a game, and he has scored 18 touchdowns. Defensively, Ryan Williams is the team leader with 80 tackles, and he also has 7.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries.
