In one of the biggest games in school history, the 11th-ranked Lions traveled into enemy territory on Saturday - the home of the two-time defending HAAC champions - and came away with a hard-fought, emotional 14-10 victory.

Lindenwood and MidAmerica Nazarene came into the game with lofty national rankings and playoff aspirations - and though the Pioneers still have a pulse in regard to the playoffs, it is now the Lions who have a choke hold on the HAAC title chase, and a realistic eye on playing in late November.

It is truly an amazing story that has unfolded in St. Charles this fall, as new head coach Patrick Ross and his staff have resuscitated a Lion program that had been all but left for dead over the last three years. After winning only four games total in 2002 and 2003, the Lions have risen from the ashes and opened the season with a perfect 6-0 mark in 2004.

Saturday afternoon, it was the Lions' stone wall of a defense that carried the day, limiting the potent Pioneers to 212 yards in total offense. Not wanting to take their chances running the ball against the HAAC's #1 defense against the rush, MNU threw it 39 times, but only scored once and had four passes intercepted by the ball-hawking Lions.

"It was a tremendous win for our program, one our players and coaches should be very proud of, " said Ross. "To go on the road and defeat a team like MidAmerica, when it was a must-win situation for them, is a great accomplishment. Our defense has been getting tougher each week, and they were just awesome today."

Lindenwood took the ball after the opening kickoff, and promptly reeled off a 12-play, 65-yard drive to take an early 7-0 lead. Sophomore flanker Steven Kennedy grabbed a 10-yard pass from senior quarterback Emiliano Salazar for the TD.

The two outstanding defenses traded body blows for the rest of the opening quarter, then LU struck again with a familiar weapon - the big play - on the first play of the second quarter.

Sophomore split end George Mumphard - who was brilliant with five catches for 150 yards in the first half - took a short slant route from Salazar, then turned upfield and blazed past MNU free safety David Prater to complete an electrifying 85-yard scoring play which put the Lions up 14-0.

That would be all the points LU needed on a day when the Lion defense was at it's best. The Pioneers scored late in the first half on a 7-yd. pass from Jimmy Werbin to Brandon Smiley, making it 14-7 at the half, but could muster only a short field goal in the second half.

Junior linebacker Jake Sharp was the star for LU on defense, posting 11 tackles, and ending the game with a fourth-quarter interception on MNU's final possession.

In all, the Lions picked off Werbin four times and broke up six other passes, while limiting the Pioneers to 130 passing yards on their 39 attempts. The Pioneer defense, led by All-American sophomore end John Prauener, was tough, as well, but the Lions managed just enough offense (215 yards passing by Salazar) to lead the entire game.

"We're in the driver's seat now, but we didn't get where we are by thinking past anyone, " said Ross. "Our players are hungry, our staff is hungry, and we're going to approach our Homecoming game this week against Avila like it's the biggest game in school history. Now is no time for a mental letdown."

The Lions, now 6-0 overall and in the Heart, will host Avila University (2-3 in the HAAC, 2-4 overall) on Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm. It's Alumni Weekend, Parents Weekend, and Homecoming at Lindenwood, so a great crowd is expected.