The undefeated and number three in the country Lindenwood Lions will play in their first ever NAIA National Championship game this afternoon in Rome, Georgia. They will be taking on the number one team in the nation, the Sioux Falls Cougars.The Lions will bring the best offense in the NAIA into this game, in the hopes it can continue its average of nearly 56 points per game. So far this season, the Lions have scored 722 points, which is the ninth highest scoring offense at every level of college football.
The Lions offense has a potent one two punch on the ground and in the air. Freshman running back Denodus O’ Bryant has scored 23 times this season, while rushing for 940 yards on 98 attempts. Junior quarterback Philip Staback has thrown 34 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. So far, he has thrown for more than 32 hundred yards this season.
Lindenwood is not all about scoring points though, as their defense has also played very well this season. In the last seven games, the Lions have not allowed a first quarter touchdown. This helps the offense jump out to early leads as they had outscored their opponents 195-35 in the first quarter.
Defensive turnovers have also been a big part of the Lions success. The Lions have forced 14 fumbles and intercepted 21 passes. They have also blocked kicks, which include punts, field goals and PAT’s.
Lindenwood enters the championship game with playoff wins over Langston University, Ottawa University and Carroll College. Sioux Falls reaches this game after beating Minot State University, Morningside College and St. Xavier University.
Some interesting side notes about this championship game. This is the first time since 2004, that the number one and two teams have not played for the national title. With both of these teams being undefeated, this keeps the trend alive of teams with perfect records playing in the last five NAIA National Championship Games.
This game will kick off at high noon in Rome, Georgia.
