Freshman quarterback Stuart Sago passed for three TD’s, and junior tailback Hakeem Abdullah racked up 104 rushing yards on 11 carries, as 15th-ranked Lindenwood opened its HAAC schedule with a convincing 38-17 win at home.

Abdullah opened the scoring with a 36-yd. TD run on the Lions’ second play from scrimmage, after senior cornerback Greg Jones had intercepted Culver quarterback Jimmy Peyton on the first play of the game.

The Lions moved out to a 17-3 halftime lead, the second TD coming on a 12-yd. pass from Sago to junior Steven Kennedy, who finished the night with four catches for 88 yards, including two for TD’s.

In the third quarter, the back breaker came on a 100-yd. interception return for a TD by junior cornerback Larry Gladney. A 28-yd. scoring strike from Sago to junior Ricky Moore early in the fourth quarter put LU ahead 38-3, and it was up to the backups to finish the night after that.

Freshman QB Stuart Sago (18) responded to his first start as a collegian with three TD passes; junior cornerback Larry Gladney (26) followed his strong showing at the Wheat Bowl with a school-record 100-yd. interception return for a TD against Culver.

"It was good to see our guys come back from the long road trip and everything that went on last week, and really start the conference season with a bang," said Lion head coach Patrick Ross. "Our kickoff team was awesome all night, and they really got everyone into it on the opening kickoff of the game."

The hit Ross alluded to was an abusive blow landed by freshman linebacker Ricky Branson on Culver return man Chris Berrian only seconds into the game. The huge crowd on hand for the State Farm Kickoff Classic let out a huge "ooohhhhhh!!" as Branson unloaded, then Peyton's first pick of the game followed on the next play. Two plays later, Abdullah made the highlight reel with this first TD as a Lion, and the rout was on. Berrian had a rough night on returns - a later Lion kickoff resulted in another blow of biblical proportions, this one landed by junior safety Jared Shoemaker.

The Lions were able to harass Culver junior transfer quarterback Jimmy Peyton into three interceptions on the night, with the other one belonging to senior All-American safety Marcus Klund. In all, it took the Wildcats 28 pass attempts to come up with 126 passing yards.

"Our secondary has played well in these first two games," said Ross. "We start three seniors back there, so you would hope it's going to be a strength for us all season."

The Lions will do battle with 3rd-ranked Georgetown (Ky.) College next Saturday at 1:30 pm.