BATESVILLE, Ark. -- After nearly a month of preseason workouts, football season is finally upon us. The Lyon College football team will open up its 2019 season on Saturday night with a non-conference home contest against Missouri Baptist at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Stadium. This will mark the third straight year the Scots and Spartans have clashed in week one to open their respective seasons. The Scots have won the previous two season openers against the Spartans, including a 22-9 victory last year in St. Louis, Mo. Lyon holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series against MBU. The Spartans won the very first meeting against the Scots, with a 70-38 victory on Nov. 12, 2016.

FOLLOW THE GAME
Saturday, Aug. 31, 6 p.m.
Batesville, Ark. (Pioneer Stadium)
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
Live Video – CLICK HERE

SCOUTING THE SCOTS
Lyon College will look to improve its 4-7 (2-6 Sooner Athletic Conference) record from a season ago as head football coach Casey Creehan enters his second year at the helm for the Scots. The Scots played in several tight ball games last season, with five contests decided by less than a touchdown, which included a 37-34 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God on Oct. 13.

Ignacio Gomez and Emetrious Scott are two of the top returners for the Scots this year. Both players were named to the 2019 College Football America Yearbook (CFAY) NAIA Preseason Starting Lineup, which is CFAY's version of an All-American team. Both players earned first-team All-SAC accolades in 2018 as Gomez was once again named as the preseason favorite for the Special Teams Player of the Year for the conference.

Sam Taylor is another notable name returning for the Scots this year. In 2018, Taylor set a program record for tackles in a season with a team-high of 99 as he finished in the top 25 in the NAIA in tackles per game (9.9). He also ranked 18th in the country in tackles for loss per game (1.6).

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Missouri Baptist posted a 4-7 (2-4 Mid-States Football Association) record during the 2018 season. The Spartans return their workhorse back in Chris Baldwin for his senior season. In 2018, Baldwin rushed for a team-high 1,274 yards on 256 totes with 13 touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 55 yards out of the backfield. Another notable name returning for the Spartans is Isaiah King. The senior wideout led the Spartans with 44 receptions for 695 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Defensively, MBU returns its leading defender in junior safety Jaylen Cowley. Last season, Cowley led the Spartans with 86 total tackles, including six tackles-for-loss and one sack. He picked off a team-high three passes in 2018.

UP NEXT
Following Saturday's game against Missouri Baptist, the Lyon College football team will make the short trip to Conway, Ark., for a non-conference game at Hendrix College on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. in the 'Battle for Scotzilla.'

** The Lyon College Softball team will be selling #SweetStrong bracelets for $3 each at the bottom of the grandstand in support of Lyon College football's offensive coordinator Kris Sweet and his battle with cancer during Saturday night's game. They will also sell them in the kiosk inside Eds today during the lunch hours.





**The Scot Shop will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. for football fans!  We have lots of new Lyon gear for fall.  Our merchandise includes football along with other sports and general Lyon apparel!  The Scot Shop will be open before each home football game this season!  No tent at the game.  It was destroyed by rain at Scottish Fest.

Football Contact: Matt Jagodzinski | 870-307-7516 | matthew.jagodzinski@lyon.edu
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