The Missouri Southern football team controlled the ball for more than 38 minutes and Southern won on the road at Lindenwood today, 31-17 inside Hunter Stadium.
Southern (4-4, 4-4 MIAA) started the game with the ball and Shannon Saunders capped off a nine-play, 73-yard drive that took 4:32 off the clock when Saunders scored on a 28-yard rushing touchdown to put Southern up 7-0 after the team's opening drive.
The teams traded possessions and Lindenwood (1-7, 1-7 MIAA) went the length of the field, but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Edward Burns.
Giresse Forchu capped off another nine-play, 76-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to put Southern up 14-3. Southern had passing plays of 30 and 18 on the drive that ended the first quarter.
After the Southern defense forced a three-and-out for Lindenwood, MSSU took the ball at the Lindenwood 35 after a 36-yard return from Ty'Quan Hayes. Lathrop hit Josh Jones for 30 yards, putting the ball on the one-yard line and Saunders punched it in, giving Southern a 21-3 lead after the Brock Renken point after was good.
Lindenwood threatened multiple times in the quarter, but the Southern defense came up with big stops including a sack and an interception from Johnquavious McBride, (pictured) as well as an interception in the endzone from Michael Burks to end the half.
The two teams traded possessions to start the third quarter, but Southern made Lindenwood pay after LU turned the ball over on downs, the Green and Gold picked up a 21-yard field goal from Brock Renken to go up 24-3 with 46 seconds left in the third.
Lindenwood picked up a score to cut the Southern lead to 24-10, but Will Gregory hit paydirt for a 27-yard rushing score and made the score, 31-10 Southern. LU added a late score for the final tally.
Southern led in total offense, 470-350, while Lathrop went 7-10 passing for 117 yards. Lathrop added 30 yards on the ground and a score, while Forchu, Gregory and Saunders had rushing scores each. Forchu finished with 143 yards on 26 carries. Josh Jones and Ricky Nichols both caught a pass for 30 yards, while Anthony Okray caught two passes and Michael Nelson, Gregory and Anthony Cannon had a catch each.
Defensively, McBride had five stops, but the junior had a sack, and an interception on the afternoon. Justin Tomlinson led the way with nine stops, two sacks and a forced fumble, while adding a pass break up. Gaige Washington and Dalvin Taylor had six tackles each. Rolandies Tolliver had a sack, while Breon Matlick and Burks had interceptions each with Matlock adding two PBU's.
The Lions will be back in action next weekend, playing host to Pittsburg State in the annual State Farm Miners Bowl. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 7 pm.
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