ST. CHARLES • Lindenwood University is learning to carry the burden of the label "Football Powerhouse."

The Lions used a potent attack last year to roll all the way to the NAIA title game in Rome, Ga., where they lost to the University of Sioux Falls 25-22. Both teams had averaged more than 50 points a game but were stymied by defenses that had learned to counter a spread offense.

"We try not to reflect too much," Lindenwood coach Patrick Ross said. "It's kind of unfair. Because we got there last year, everybody expects us to automatically get there again. Anything less than a national championship would be a failure in a lot of people's eyes, which is sad for our players. People say, 'We'll see you in Rome,' but that's so far away. There's so many good teams to face between now and then."

The Lions' loss in the final explains in part their No. 2 ranking in the NAIA preseason poll. They built much of their reputation, though, because of three consecutive titles in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Three of the Lions' conference mates — MidAmerica Nazarene, (6th) Missouri Valley (10th) and Baker (24th) — also earned spots in the poll.

"Now we have a target on our back. Everyone wants to beat us," senior linebacker Dan Carlisle said. "We're expected to win, but we're up to the challenge."

If Lindenwood repeats its success, the offense again is likely to attract most of the attention. Ross will remain true to his version of the spread offense, which averaged 53 points a game and scored 104 touchdowns.

"But the way we run the spread is different," he said. "We're a running team disguised as a passing team."

As such, the Lions relied on the rushing skills of sophomore Denodus O'Bryant, the player of the year in the Heart of America Athletic Conference and the NAIA's preseason player of the year. A graduate of Washington High, Bryant rushed for 15 touchdowns and 1,000 yards and added four TDs on kickoff returns.

Also returning is senior quarterback Philip Staback, who earned the starting job a week before the first game last season. Staback finished with 3,381 passing yards, a 67.5 percent completion rate, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions.

"A returning quarterback is critical. Phil knows the offense and brings the leadership to guide the rest of the team," Ross said. "With Denodus and Phil, we have guys who have made big plays, and we know they can handle the pressure."

Though the Lions lost three of their top four wide receivers, the unit displayed depth last season. The top returnee is senior Matt Bramow, who led Lindenwood in receiving touchdowns with 12. Because of the rapid-fire attack, though, junior Matt Angell contributed 477 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Junior Mike Bunton of Parkway North, who broke his arm early last season, will return as well.

"We felt we had many receivers we could rotate in last year and that could help us for this year," Ross said. "We have the depth there so we can roll the younger guys in. They get their chance to be the starters now."

Lindenwood's offense completed its work in less than 24 minutes a game, leaving the bulk of playing time to the Lions' defense, more than 36 minutes.

"That's OK with us. We bend but don't break," Carlisle said. "We eventually make a play — a tackle for loss, a sack, a fumble recovery — or we make them punt."

Carlisle, a graduate of Francis Howell North, is a four-year starter. He led the Lions in tackles twice last season and finished with 62 and is a leader of the corps which Ross considers the defense's deepest.

"We have goals on defense. We want to score or set up touchdowns for the offense," Carlisle said. "We don't care if we give up 300 yards if the score is 50-6."

Ross expects more of the same this season.

"We put a lot of pressure on our defense, but they like that," he said. "It's a lot more fun to play defense when you're up by two or three touchdowns because you can let loose, really get after them."