The Lions will begin preparation for week two of the football season against Glenville State in hopes of improving from last week’s slow start on offense.

With a lot of players returning on the offensive side of the ball, the Lions got off to a slow start in the first half against Central Oklahoma.

The Lions did not get a first down until the fifth series of the game, which included two turnovers. The Lions ended the half with a total of four turnovers.

Returning quarterback Lee Chapple also got off to a slow start, with three interceptions in the first half, but managed to get back on track in the second, not turning the ball over again.

“I think he was pressing too much with some of the new stuff, trying to make a play for us,” said Head Coach Terry Bowden. “Lee (Chapple) had a lot on his mind going into the week, but he should be alright.”

The Lions did get a spark from running back Antwan Ivey who rushed for a team high 142 yards, and three touchdowns, including the clinching touchdown in the 31-10 victory.

“He had some fantastic runs and turned some average plays into some great plays,” Bowden said. “Ivey gave our offense the spark we needed with some of his big runs.”

The Lions offense looks to get back on track against a Glenville State team that returns nine starters on defense, including second team all-conference linebacker Donald Marshall, who had 69 tackles from last season.

“I have all the confidence in the world in our offense,” Bowden said. “They have been working hard throughout practice and our offense will come together, because it has worked in the past.”

As a team, the Pioneers are looking to rebound from last season, returning a total of 18 starters that finished the season with a 5-6 record. The Pioneers return both of their starting quarterbacks whose rotated time last season combined for 2,306 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The Pioneers also return starting running back Joe Mesadieu, along with receivers Jordan Griffin and Antwan Stewart.

The three combined for 1,896 yards and 14 touchdowns for the team last year.

Last season against the Pioneers the Lions had no problem putting up the points in a 54-10 rout led by Chapple, who had 447 yards passing with three touchdowns. The team racked up 591 yards of total offense in the rout against the Pirates.

The Lions are scheduled to play Glenville State this Saturday at Braly Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 6 p.m.

Recap of Last Thurday’s game:

• The Lions football team start the season out with a 1-0 record after defeating Central Oklahoma 31-10.

• The game was highlighted by running back Antwan Ivey who had a team high of 142 yards rushing and 3 TDs.

• Despite having five total turnovers, the defense for the Lions held  UCO to three points in the first half, even though they were put in a bad position.