HICKORY, NC - Homecoming week is here, and Lenoir-Rhyne enters week eight looking to take down Limestone in an important SAC matchup. The Bears come into homecoming weekend with a 6-1 (4-1 SAC) record, helped in part by a 20-0 shutout victory over Barton last Saturday. Limestone is coming off their second loss of the season falling 38-12 against (RV) Wingate. They enter this game with 5-2 (4-1 SAC) record. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. 

Notes:

Matchup History: Saturday's game will be the ninth all-time meeting between the Bears and Saints. Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series 7-1 and are seeking their fourth win at Moretz Stadium. Last season, the Bears and Saints went to overtime for the first time in series history, where the Bears escaped with a 31-28 victory on the road. Jake Brown kicked the game winning 20-yard field goal in overtime to seal the win for the Bears, helping them to remain undefeated. The Bears are currently on a six game winning streak against the Saints. The first ever meeting between these two squads was during the 2015 season where Lenoir-Rhyne took care of business on the road 46-22.

Opponent Profile: Limestone opened their 2024 season by going 1-1 in non-conference play, dominating West Liberty 48-13 in week one, before falling 33-14 to (RV) West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama. In week three, Limestone opened SAC play with a 52-5 victory on the road at Anderson. In that game the Saints generated their second-largest program victory with veteran quarterback Dustin Noller throwing for over 350 yards and five scores. The next two weeks Limestone continued their dominate play on both sides of the ball with wins against Emory & Henry (37-24) and Tusculum (49-21) to remain undefeated in the SAC. In week six, Limestone escaped with a narrow 36-33 double overtime win at Catawba. The Saints offense generated almost 500 yards of total offense, helped in part by Dustin  Noller completing 18 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Saints dropped their first game in conference play last week, falling 38-12 in their Hall of Fame game against Wingate. Limestone gave up over 400 yards of total offense to the Bulldogs and committed two turnovers in the loss. 

Barton Recap: Lenoir-Rhyne registered their first shutout win of the season after defeating Barton 20-0 on the road. The Bears defense held the Bulldogs to just 121 yards of total offense. Lenoir-Rhyne has now shut out Barton two times in their last three games. Jaelin Willis led the Bears with five tackles, including 1.5 TFL in the win. Nic Cheeley, Anthony Hightower Jr., and Deshaun Whitmire came away with interceptions. Offensively, Jalen Ferguson went 16-for-21 for 156 yards and an interception while Alex Boyd finished with 95 yards rushing and two scores. Adonis McDaniel and DeAree Rogers combined for 12 receptions for 120 yards receiving. This will most likely be the last time these two SAC rivals will face off with Barton leaving the conference after the conclusion of the 2024 season. 

Lenoir-Rhyne Statistics: Jalen Ferguson remains second in the conference in passing yards per game (260.3) and fifth in touchdown passes (9). After two rushing touchdowns this past weekend, Alex Boyd remains second in the conference in rushing touchdowns (8), sitting only behind Catawba's LJ Turner (12). Adonis McDaniel remains fourth in the conference in receiving yards per game (71.9) through the first seven games. 

 Rankings Update: Lenoir-Rhyne moved up to 16 in the latest AFCA Division ll coaches poll after last weekend's shutout victory. #1 ranked Harding dropped their first game of the season 17-13 to #9 Ouachita Baptist, dropping their ranking to #7. Grand Valley State is now #1 in the latest poll while Valdosta State leaped to #3. Delta State (24) and Augustana (25) entered the Top-25 after both teams improved their record to 5-2 this past weekend. Angelo State (22) and Findlay (22) received the most votes outside the Top-25 while Frostburg State (22) and Henderson State (25) dropped out of the rankings. 

Cranford Hospitality Field Level VIP Experience: The newly introduced Cranford Hospitality Field Level VIP Experience has been a hit this season. Located under videoboard and behind the open endzone, the experience includes catered food from the culinary team at Cranford Hospitality and exclusive beverage options from City Walk Brewing, all while having the best seat in the house. This weekend's homecoming menu will include Shaved Prime Rib Sammys, Marinated Chicken Skewers, Cattleman Coins with Lusty Monk Aioli, and many more options. The homecoming drinks will include Pontoon Party, Carolina Lager Altenburger Festbier, and traditional lemonade and tea. Tickets are one sale this week for just $40. To purchase tickets for this experience, go to lrbears.com/tickets. Select the Football vs. Limestone, and when the "purchase today" option is clicked, a mock of the field will pop up. Click the red "field level" option on the bottom left to secure your spot in the best seat in the house.