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Third-ranked Lindenwood University proved to be too much for the twentieth-ranked Langston University Lions on Saturday defeating them 42-14 in the first round of the 2009 Russell NAIA Football Championship Series. Lindenwood is now 11-0 on the season and advances to the second round of the playoffs. 

 

Langston’s special teams gave the Lindenwood offense a short field to work with to start the game, which led to a quick Lindenwood score on a 22-yard pass from Phillip Staback to Matt Angell. Staback, the eventual Offensive Player of the Game, was 14-for-22 with 210 yards passing and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Rudy Fleming was also a big threat for Lindenwood finishing with five catches for 114 yards. 

 

Lindenwood’s defense had two players that had outstanding games. Jovan Alexander finished with eight tackles, one tackle for loss, two pass break-ups, and an interception that was returned for eight yards. Logen Wright, the Defensive Player of the Game, had seven tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, a blocked extra point attempt, a blocked field goal, and an interception returned 29 yards for a touchdown.

Langston’s offense was moving the ball but was unable to put it in the endzone until late in the game. Darrion Lewis was 25-for-41 with one touchdown on the day and was sacked four times. Sophomore Carlos Ross had a productive game. Ross finished the game with 64 yards rushing, 78 yards receiving with one touchdown, and 26 return yards in the game. Tight end Tony Cotton also had seven catches for 72 yards, giving Langston a first down on six of his seven receptions. 

 

For Langston defensively, Christian Torres and Mark Brown finished with five tackles each, while Rodrick Jenkins finished with four.  Both Brown and Jenkins also finished with two tackles for loss in the game.  

 

The Langston University Lions ended their season with an 8-4 record and are losing some key seniors for next season. Senior Ayrron Polk has been a fixture on the offensive line. Polk was a 2009 preseason All-American selection and a 2008 first team All-CSFL player. Jenkins, a four-year starter for the Lions defense, will leave Langston as the all-time leading tackler. He was also a 2009 preseason All-American and a 2007 second-team All-CSFL selection and a 2008 first-team selection. Other seniors that the Lions are losing are tight end Donald Berryhill, defensive lineman Dulani Stephens, defensive back Omar Hill, and offensive lineman Salvador Guerrero.