Miami Gardens, Fla. - The Bobcats, coming off a ranked win on the road, return home for their first home ranked game of the season. They will host Lindsey Wilson in the national spotlight, with a lot of attention towards the ground game. This game will be available on The Sun Digital Network, while also being simulcasted on the NAIA Network as their featured broadcast.
Game Details
Teams: #5 Lindsey Wilson University (3-0) at #14 St. Thomas University (3-0)
Date: Saturday, September 19 | 12:00 pm
Game Theme: Youth Day
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla. | AutoNation Field
Media Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats
Daniels Named Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week
On Monday, The Sun Conference announced St. Thomas quarterback Jalen Daniels as the Offensive Player of the Week after the Bobcats' victory over #20 Georgetown College. In the win, Daniels threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown. The Mesa, Arizona, native completed 68% of his passes last Saturday.
Focus on the Ground Game
Saturday's game is gaining a lot of attention on the rushing attack. Lindsey Wilson averages 281 yards on the ground a game and is fifth in the NAIA in total rushing yards. On the other side of the ball, St. Thomas has allowed just 47 rushing yards per game, which is the third fewest in the NAIA.
Individually, two of the nation's best running backs will be featured. Lindsey Wilson's Davontaye Saunders leads the NAIA in total rushing yards (514), rushing yards per game (171.3), yards per carry (11.4), and is tied for the most rushing touchdowns (8). St. Thomas' Isaiah Lopez is not far behind, as he is fifth in the country in total rushing yards (449) and fourth in all-purpose yards (513). Lopez has rushed for at least 139 yards per game this year, and has seven total touchdowns.
The Complimentary Kicking Game
St. Thomas and kicker Jay Giunta are both tied for second in the NAIA in points from kicks with 29 points. Giunta has made five field goals this year, which is also tied for second in the NAIA. His 46-yard field goal earlier this season is the fifth-longest in the NAIA.
Matchup History
These two programs faced each other for the first time last season, as Lindsey Wilson defeated St. Thomas 52-24 in Columbia, Kentucky. The Blue Raiders controlled the game in the first half, but the two teams played evenly in the second half. The Bobcats struggled to stop the rushing attack, as they allowed 315 yards. St. Thomas did have 363 yards in the air in that game.
Scouting Lindsey Wilson
One of the NAIA's football blue bloods, Linsdey Wilson enters Saturday's game undefeated. They have played one ranked team, #23 Reinhardt, in which the Blue Raiders won 52-24. Lindsey Wilson also faced a Sun Conference opponent, Ave Maria, in which the Blue Raiders won 52-6. In their three games, the Raiders have been one of the best offenses in the NAIA, as they have the second most points per game (55) and yards per play (9.5). Defensively, both St. Thomas and Linsey Wilson are similar, as the Bobcats have allowed the fourth fewest yards per game (198.3), and the Blue Raiders have allowed the fifth fewest yards per game (202).
