The Missouri Southern football team will look to win its third game in a row when the Lions play host to Central Missouri this Saturday for Homecoming 2014. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 2 pm.
Game Information
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2014
Kick-Off: 2:00 p.m., CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)
Series Record: Central leads 18-15-1
Coaches: Daryl Daye (15-10 at MSSU, 30-48 overall) | Jim Svoboda (33-17 at UCM, 85-36 overall)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: FM 99.7 Real American Country - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Aaron Lewis, Color
Video Webcast: http://www.mssulions.com/links/hlqdgb
Live Stats: http://www.mssulions.com/sports/fball/2014-15/boxscores/20141004_zsti.xml
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/missourisouthernlions
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Coaches: Daryl Daye is in his third season as the head coach at Missouri Southern. In his second season at the helm of the Lions, Daye lifted the program to a level unseen in the past 20 years. The Lions finished the season 7-3 overall and were 5-3 in the MIAA. Southern also broke a 20-year drought with a 35-21 win at No. 9 Pittsburg State in the season-finale. The Lions won for the first time in Pittsburg since 1983 and for the first time against the Gorillas since 1993. Nine Lions were named All-MIAA, and 11 players were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. The Lions' Chris Barnwell and Gatlin Ridgway were named All-Region with Barnwell earning All-American honors. Giresse Forchu was an Academic All-District selection and the Lions ended the 2013 campaign as Division II's leader in time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average of 35:14 each game. Southern also ranked second nationally in both rushing yardage and fewest passes intercepted. In all, the Lions ranked in the top ten nationally in nine different categories, while ranking 14th in turnovers lost.
Jim Svoboda is in his fifth year at the helm of the Mules. He has led the Mules to a 33-17 overall mark, including 27-14 in MIAA play. He has led the Mules to two postseason appearances and UCM had the second most wins in a two-year period during his first two seasons in Warrensburg.
Last season, he led the Mules to a 6-4 overall mark for the second straight season, including a four-game winning streak to end the year. It was the first four-game winning streak to close out a season since 1988 and secured the program's seventh straight winning season.
Svoboda has an overall career record of 85-36 in 12 seasons as a collegiate coach.
The Series: Central Missouri holds the all-time series lead against the Lions at 18-15-1. The Lions have an 9-7-1 record at Hughes Stadium against the Mules, while the Lions are just 6-11 in Warrensburg. Central has won 14 out of the last 18 meetings. Southern defeated the Mules in 2006 and last season, both games at home. From 1983-1996, the Lions were 7-2 against the Mules.
A Victory vs. Central Would: be the second time in a row for the Lions as Southern defeated the Mules 21-14 last year inside Hughes Stadium. It would, however, be just the third win in the last nine games against the Mules.
NFL Representation: The Lions will be one of just two MIAA teams (Washburn) to have two different starters on NFL rosters to start the season. Brandon Williams is a starter on the defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, while Allen Barbre started on the offensive line for the Philadelphia Eagles, but suffered an ankle injury in game one and will be out for the 2014 season.
2013 NCAA Stats Leaders: The Missouri Southern football team led Division II in 2013 in time of possession, averaging 35:14 of possession each game. The team also ranked second nationally in both rushing yardage and fewest passes intercepted. In all, the Lions ranked in the top ten nationally in nine different categories, while ranking 14th in turnovers lost.
2014 NCAA Stat Leaders: After two games, the Lions currently rank No. 1 in Division II in passing yards per completion and redzone offense. The Lions also rank 13th in sacks allowed, 15th in rushing offense and 18th in kickoff return defense. Southern ranks 28th in fourth-down conversion percentage, while ranking 29th in punting 37th in time of possession, 43rd in turnovers lost and 44th in passes intercepted.
MIAA Stats Leaders: The Lions currently lead the MIAA in redzone offense, passing yards per completion, sacks allowed, blocked punts allowed and rushing. Southern ranks third in fourth down conversion percentage, kickoff return defense, blocked kicks allowed.
National Rankings: Ty'Quan Hayes ranks 45th in combined kick returns, while Deon Price ranks 15th in interceptions and 41st in fumbles recovered. Martice Buckley also ranks 41st in fumbles recovered, while Kyle Jaski ranks 19th in punting. Giresse Forchu ranks 28th in rushing touchdowns, while Gaige Washington ranks 45th in solo tackles.
Rushing It: The Lions are ranked 15th nationally in rushing and second in the MIAA after four games. The Lions are averaging 259.8 yards rushing and have 14 rushing touchdowns going into week four.
Punt it Long: Newcomer Kyle Jaski (Lincoln Univ. of PA) was a Division II All-American last year and he has picked up right where he left off. He currently ranks second in the MIAA and 19th nationally. He is averaging 41.8 yards per punt, with a long of 59, four inside the 20 and three over 50 yards.
Defensive Steppin Up: The Lions' defense had four interceptions, six tackles for a loss, 11 pass break ups and six quarterback hurries in the game against Washburn.
Sack Em Up: Senior defensive lineman Ryon Phillips had two sacks against No. 1 ranked Northwest Missouri. The two gives him 14 on his career, ranking him fifth all-time in MSSU history.
Team Captains: The Missouri Southern coaching staff and team have voted in four captains for the 2014 season. Seniors Austin Wolfe, Ryon Phillips and Dalvin Taylor, along with junior Jay McDowell will serve as team captains this year.
TOUGH LEAGUE/REGION: The MIAA has two teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is No. 1, followed by Pittsburg State at No. 19. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 25. There are 16 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.
WEATHER REPORT: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for a high of 69 degrees with partly cloudy conditions. There is a zero percent chance of rain.
Next Up: Missouri Southern will head back on the road and will travel to Edmond, Okla. for a meeting with Central Oklahoma. Kickoff from Wantland Stadium is slated for 2:07 pm as this game will be the MIAA's TV Game of the Week.
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