Though the Lions' late summer trip to western Kansas didn't turn out exactly as planned - everything but the final score of the game went like clockwork - the 2006 Wheat Bowl matchup with Northwest Oklahoma State provided the Lions with a good measuring stick. With the game in doubt up until the final moments, and star sophomore QB Ben Kisner on the shelf with an injury for most of the game, head coach Patrick Ross's team was able to withstand some blows and have a chance to win at the end.

"Obviously, we're disappointed that we didn't win the game," said the Lions' third-year mentor. "Still, the fact that we overcame some adversity and went toe-to-toe with a good team for four quarters is a good sign. We're very young, so anything you learn in that situation is going to help down the road."

The young LU defense had a tough time containing NWOSU tailback Thez Robinson, particularly in the first half. When he was knocked from the game by a crunching blow from sophomore safety Adam Cecil on a kickoff return in the third quarter, mighty mite Miguel Warren came on to pick up the slack.

The Lions broke on top, using a 52-yard pass and run play from Kisner to senior Steven Kennedy to set up a 32-yard field goal by freshman Haley Farrell. That was the end of the scoring in the first quarter, as both defenses appeared set to dig in for a physical evening.

On the first play of the second period, with the LIons moving the ball, a mishandled snap from center resulted in the season's first turnover for LU, setting up the Rangers in Lion territory at the 40. Robinson, showed his stuff on the next play, busting a variety of moves on his way to the south end zone, making it 7-3. The Rangers would score again before halftime, on a tipped 8-yd. pass from Bryan Henry to Sedgwick Thigpen.

With Kisner now watching from the sidelines, the Lions came roaring back after intermission, using that same tipped pass technique that had help the Rangers move out in front. The 42-yd. score came from the arm of freshman QB Stuart Sago, playing in his first collegiate game, to junior Grady Wilson. That made it 14-10, and after a blocked punt by freshman McCray Harris set up Farrell's second field goal late in the third quarter, the scoreboard read 14-13, and it was anyone's game.

"Our defense had come around in the second half, so we felt like we were in pretty good position going into the final part of the game," said Ross. "We just couldn't get that last big play at the end to get over the hump."

Twice in the closing moments, the Lions drove inside the NWOSU 40, only to fall short of field goal range. Kisner came back on to direct the final drive, which ended on an incomplete pass to junior tailback Hakeem Abdullah on fourth down.

"That's a good team we lost to," said Ross of the Rangers. "Robinson is the real deal, and their defensive ends are very good. You don't know how you match up against good teams unless you play them, so now we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work with the conference season opening next week."

The Lions will face Culver-Stockton in the State Farm Kickoff Classic at 7:00 pm, next Saturday at Lindenwood University Stadium.