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Football: LWU advances to NAIA quarterfinals

No. 7-ranked Blue Raiders overcome 24-0 deficit to beat No. 10-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University 57-31 in NAIA second-round game played at Parnell Family Stadium.

By Duane Bonifer

Four record-setting performances by Blue Raiders keyed No. 7-ranked Lindsey Wilson University's comeback from a 24-point deficit in the first half to beat No. 10-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University 57-31 in the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series, played on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Parnell Family Stadium.

Lindsey Wilson (10-1) advances to the NAIA quarterfinals round, where they will play top-ranked and defending NAIA national champion Grand View (IA) University (11-0) on Saturday, December 6, in Des Moines, Iowa.


Lindsey Wilson fell behind the visiting Wildcats 24-0 with 1:57 left in the second quarter. But the Blue Raiders closed out the first half with an eight-play, 79-yard touchdown drive that was capped with a two-point conversion. That ignited 36 unanswered points, which put Lindsey Wilson ahead 36-24 with 4:59 to play in the third quarter. The Blue Raiders forced six Indiana Wesleyan (9-3) turnovers in the second half.

Following an Indiana Wesleyan touchdown with 1:27 left in the third quarter to pull to 36-31, the Blue Raiders sealed the win with three more touchdowns.

A big reason Lindsey Wilson outscored Indiana Wesleyan 57-7 in the final 31:57 of the game was because of four Blue Raiders' record-setting performances:
  • Junior defensive back Khaleb Bridges of Atlanta set a program single-game record with four interceptions, three of which led to Blue Raider touchdowns. Bridges also recorded nine tackles to earn NAIA Defensive Player of the Game honors.

  • Freshman wide receiver Max Gainey of Louisville, Kentucky, caught nine passes for 188 yards and a touchdown, setting a new Lindsey Wilson record for receiving yards in a season with 880 yards.

  • Sophomore quarterback Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, threw for a career-high 382 yards on 22 of 35 passes with four touchdowns to earn NAIA Offensive Player of the Game honors.

  • And junior running back Davontaye Saunders of Eminence, Kentucky, scored three touchdowns on 79 yards on 18 carries. Saunders now has 20 rushing touchdowns on the season, breaking the previous LWU single-season record of 18.



This story was posted on 2025-11-30 20:13:50
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Coach Kleckler congratulated



2025-11-30 - Columbia, KY - Photo courtesy Lindsey Wilson University.
Lindsey Wilson University football coach Phil Kleckler is congratulated by his wife, Randi, and son, Rory, following the Blue Raiders' 57-31 win over Indiana Wesleyan University in the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Parnell Family Stadium.

No. 7-ranked Lindsey Wilson advanced to the quarterfinals round against top-ranked Grand View (Iowa) University on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Reed celebrates touchdown



2025-11-30 - Columbia, KY - Photo courtesy Lindsey Wilson University.
Lindsey Wilson University junior wide receiver Taborie Reed of Pinson, Alabama, celebrates a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, to give the Blue Raiders a 43-31 lead over Indiana Wesleyan University in the second round of the NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Parnell Family Stadium.

No. 7-ranked Lindsey Wilson won the game 57-31 to advance to the quarterfinals round against top-ranked Grand View (Iowa) University on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Des Moines, Iowa.

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Rice is NAIA Offensive Player of the Game



2025-11-30 - Columbia, KY - Photo courtesy Lindsey Wilson University.
Lindsey Wilson University sophomore quarterback Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, is presented the NAIA Offensive Player of the Game award by NAIA game official and Cumberland (Tennessee) University football coach Tim Mathis following the second round game of the NAIA Football Championship Series on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Parnell Family Stadium. Rice threw for a career-high 382 yards on 22 of 35 passes with four touchdowns.

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