The Missouri Southern football team scored 14 fourth-quarter points, but couldn't complete the comeback as the Lions fell 22-21 today at home in the season finale to Missouri Western.
The Lions (4-7, 4-7 MIAA) had a 7-3 lead early on after a 20-yard touchdown run from Michael Nelson in the first quarter. Western (7-4, 7-4 MIAA) quarterback Skyler Windmiller hooked up with Dee Tolliver for a 17-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter with 2:25 left to give the Griffons a 10-7 lead at the half.
A one-yard run from Raphael Spencer with four minutes left in the third gave MWSU a 16-7 lead, but the Lions began their comeback then.
Jay McDowell completed a six-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard run to cut the Western lead to 16-14 with 8:29 left in the fourth quarter. Giresse Forchu broke off an 18-yard scamper for the endzone to give Southern a 21-16 lead with 6:22 left in the game. That drive was started by a forced fumble by Lars Lindquist and recovered by Justin Tomlinson to give the Lions the ball at the Western 23-yard line.
The Griffons answered right back, however, as Windmiller hit Daylon Harper for a 14-yard score to cap off a ten-play, 91-yard drive. The two-point conversion was fumbled and Kevin Gill picked the ball up and ran deep into Western territory before he was pulled down, stopping the defensive score for the Lions and saving the game for the Griffons.
The Lions had 160 yards on the ground and 117 yards in the air, but Western out gained Southern 390-277.
Jay McDowell went 5-11 through the air for 117 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Chris Barnwell had 52 yards to lead the rushing attack, while Nelson and Forchu had rushing touchdowns each. Anthony Cannon had three catches for 98 yards, just missing his bid for 100 yards receiving in three-straight games.
Keyjuan Tate led the defensive effort with 12 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss, including a fumble recovery for 18 yards. Gaige Washington had ten tackles and 2.0 for a loss, while Johnquavious McBride had nine stops, 1.0 TFL and a pass breakup. Dalvin Taylor had a sack, while Lars Lindquist had a half a sack, a blocked kick and a forced fumble. Breon Matlock and Tomlinson had a forced fumble each with Tomlinson andMichael Burks picking up a fumble recovery.
The Lions end the season at 4-7 overall and 4-7 in the MIAA.
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