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No. 6 Lindsey Wilson University Football Opens 2026 Season with 52-24 Win over No. 23 Reinhardt University.

Davontaye Saunders of Eminence, Kentucky, rushes for 177 yards, three touchdowns; quarterback Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, throws three touchdowns to wide receiver Max Gainey of Louisville, Kentucky.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/28/2026) — The Lindsey Wilson University football team opened the 2026 season with a top-25 win over visiting Reinhardt (Georgia) University on Thursday night, Aug. 27, at Parnell Family Stadium.

The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, blitzed the No. 23-ranked Eagles 45-0 in the first half and then cruised to a 52-24 victory.

For the game, Lindsey Wilson posted 483 total yards of offense, including a game-high 177 rushing yards by senior running back Davontaye Saunders of Eminence, Kentucky, who ran for three touchdowns. It was the ninth time Saunders has run for over 100 yards and the seventh time he's rushed for more than 150 yards in a game. Saunders now has 2,271 career rushing yards, the second most in Lindsey Wilson history. His three touchdowns give him 26 career touchdowns, the fifth most in LWU history.

Junior quarterback Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, threw three touchdowns on 11-of-16 passing for a game-high 181 yards. Rice's three touchdowns were thrown to sophomore wide receiver Max Gainey of Louisville, Kentucky, who had a game-high 158 receiving yards.

Lindsey Wilson's next game is against Ave Maria (Florida) University at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Parnell Family Stadium.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

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Lindsey Wilson University sophomore wide receiver Max Gainey of Louisville, Kentucky, hauls in 37-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Tate Rice of Manchester, Kentucky, to give the Blue Raiders a 37-0 lead over visiting Reinhardt (Georgia) University late in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game at Parnell Family Stadium. The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, opened the 2026 season with a 52-24 win over the No. 23 Eagles. Gainey caught five passes for a game-high 158 total yards, including three for touchdowns.

Lindsey Wilson University sophomore wide receiver Max Gainey of Louisville, Kentucky (No. 5), and fellow sophomore wide receiver Tyler Campbell of Nashville, Tennessee (No. 3), celebrate with Blue Raider fans after Gainey’s second touchdown reception gave Lindsey Wilson a 30-0 lead over visiting Reinhardt (Georgia) University late in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game at Parnell Family Stadium. The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, opened the 2026 season with a 52-24 win over the No. 23 Eagles. Gainey caught five passes for a game-high 158 total yards, including three for touchdowns.

Lindsey Wilson University senior running back Davontaye Saunders of Eminence, Kentucky, tries to break loose from a Reinhardt (Georgia) University defender in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game at Parnell Family Stadium. The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, opened the 2026 season with a 52-24 win over the No. 23 Eagles. Saunders rushed for a game-high 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Reinhardt (Georgia) University running back Isaiah Payton runs into a wall of Lindsey Wilson University defenders in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s game at Parnell Family Stadium. The Blue Raiders, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA, opened the 2026 season with a 52-24 win over the No. 23 Eagles.

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