FOOTBALL LOOKS TO CONTINUE RECENT SUCCESS AGAINST LU-BELLEVILLE
ST. LOUIS – It has been more than a month since the Missouri Baptist University football team has played a game in St. Louis, however, the Spartans are at least back on a familiar field this weekend as they play host to Lindenwood University-Belleville (0-5, 0-1 MSFA Mideast). Kickoff for Saturday's conference game is set for 1 p.m. at Christian Brothers College High School's Ross Stadium. Kevin Paulus and Guy Danhoff will be on the call for the
Spartan Digital Network broadcast.
The Spartans are coming off of a bye week following a closely-contested 25-20 loss on the road against a tough St. Ambrose University squad. On the other side, the Lynx of Belleville, Ill. will look to erase last weekend's 71-0 defeat from their minds as well as snap their 25-game losing streak. With interim head coach Pat Stewart at the helm, Lindenwood-Belleville will have its hands full as the Spartan offense has started to take off.
All-Time Series vs. Lindenwood-Belleville
- Each team has two wins apiece in the all-time series with Missouri Baptist winning the last two contests
- In MBU's first two years as a football program, the Spartans had their hands full as the Lynx outscored them 86-27 ; the tables have taken a turn in the positive direction for the Spartans holding a 64-23 scoring advantage since 2016
- In last year's matchup, the Spartans led by as much as 41 and did most of the damage in the first half with a 36-9 lead heading into halftime. Missouri Baptist got its second win of the year with a dominant 50-16 road win at LU-Belleville
Scouting the Lynx
- Lindenwood-Belleville is in search of its first win since Nov. 14, 2015
- The Lynx have been shut out three times this year including a 56-0 loss to Olivet Nazarene, 26-0 loss to St. Ambrose and 71-0 loss to Concordia (Mich.).
- In last week's game at home versus Concordia-Ann Arbor, LU-B was shut down in all facets of the game ; the Lynx averaged just 0.6 yards per play and managed just 33 yards of total offense.
Clicking on Offense
- After being held to single digits in each of its first three contests, Missouri Baptist has combined for 52 points offensively in the last two outings.
- The Spartans have now logged back-to-back games with 400+ yards of total offense, churning out 474 yards at Wisconsin-River Falls and 401 at St. Ambrose.
- With the offense rolling, MBU is averaging 5.5 yards per play in its last two games.
Winning the Turnover Battle
- Through five games, the Spartans are +5 in turnover margin, which ranks second among 13 squads in the Mid-States Football Association
- MBU's +5 turnover margin is tied for 14th in the NAIA
- Missouri Baptist also ranks second in the conference in forced turnovers with 10 total (4 fumbles, 6 interceptions)
Improving on Third Downs
- In their first two games of the year against Lyon and Siena Heights, the Spartans were a combined 2-for-29 (.068) on third downs. Since then, the offense has converted third downs at a rate of 42.5%.
- On the opposite side of the ball, the Spartan defense has created problems for opposing teams in the past three games holding opponents to 27.7% on third-down conversions.
