Southern football to play host to Washburn on Hall of Fame Weekend

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern football team will look to move to .500 with a win this Saturday as the Lions play host to Washburn University for Hall of Fame Weekend. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is slated for 6:30 pm. 

Game Information

Date: Saturday, September 27, 2014
Kick-Off: 6:30 p.m., CT
Location: Joplin, Mo. 
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)
Series Record:  Washburn leads 21-20
Coaches: Daryl Daye (14-10 at MSSU, 29-48 overall) | Craig Shurig (88-53 at Washburn and 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/20140927_ysa8.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. 

Craig Schurig is in his 13th year at the helm of the Ichabods. A 1987 graduate of Colorado School of Mines, Schurig has built one of the most respected programs in the MIAA with three NCAA playoff appearances as well as the 2005 MIAA title coming on the heel's of a 2007, 2009 and 2011 runner-up finish in the conference race. He has completed a 88-53 record at Washburn. The 87 wins are on top of the all-time wins chart at Washburn.

Through his first eleven seasons, in addition to three NCAA playoffs and a conference title, Schurig has led the Washburn football program to the 2004 Mineral Water Bowl Championship and the 2010 Kanza Bowl Championship.

The Series: Washburn leads the overall series between the two teams 21-20-1. The Lions hold a 10-9-1 mark at Hughes Stadium and a 10-12 mark in Topeka. Southern last defeated the Ichabods in 2002 when the Lions won 52-28 at home. Washburn has won 13 of the last 14 meetings including eight in a row. From 1989 to 1997, the Lions won nine games in a row in a stretch that included ten of 11, as well.  

A Victory vs.  Washburn Would: be the first time in ten tries against the Ichabods. Southern last defeated the Ichabods in 2002 when the Lions won 52-28 at home. 

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 10th in kickoff return defense, and 14th in both fourth-down conversions and time of possession, while ranking 18th nationally in rushing.

MIAA Stats Leaders: The Lions currently lead the MIAA in redzone offense, passing yards per completion and rushing. Southern ranks second in both kickoff return defense, fourth down conversion percentage, sacks allowed and time of possession

Hey, We Remember You: The Lions will be playing Washburn for the first time since 2011. Southern lost that game at home to 13th ranked Washburn, 30-14.    

National Rankings: Ty'Quan Hayes ranks 49th in combined kickoff returns, while Gaige Washington ranks 43rd in forced fumbles. Deon Price ranks 27th in fumbles recovered, while Kyle Jaski ranks 23rd in punting. Giresse Forchu and Michael Nelson both rank 47th nationally in rushing touchdowns. 

Rushing It: The Lions are ranked 18th nationally in rushing and second in the MIAA after third games. The Lions are averaging 251 yards rushing and have nine rushing touchdowns going into week three. 

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 third in the MIAA and 23rd nationally. He is averaging 41.6 yards per punt, with a long of 59, four inside the 20 and three over 50 yards.  

MIAA Player of the Week:  Missouri Southern freshman kicker Brock Renken (Joplin HS) was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week this past week. He went 2-3 (35, 39) in field goals and 4-4 in extra points at Neb.-Kearney. 

Defensive Dalvin: One of four captains on this year's squad, Dalvin Taylor is leading the Lions defensive effort this year. He has 23 tackles on the year. 

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. 8. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 25. There are 13 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 84 degrees with partly cloudy conditions. There is a zero percent chance of rain. 

Next Up: Missouri Southern will play host to Central Missouri for Homecoming 2014. The Lions and Mules will kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium at 2 pm on Oct. 4.