(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)
The Missouri Southern football team out gained Lindenwood by more than 100 yards, but Lindenwood scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to come-from-behind and defeat Southern 34-30 today on homecoming.
The Lions (1-7, 1-7 MIAA) were led offensively by TJ Fleeton as the quarterback went 30-49 for 368 yards and a score. It's the first time a Missouri Southern quarterback has thrown for 300 yards since Collin Howard had 344 against Southwest Baptist in 2011. Will Gregrory had 27 carries for 126 yards and a score, while Terrell Crawford had 12 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. Carson Day had six catches for 85 yards, whileChad Nolan caught three passes for 77 yards.
Southern, as a team, threw for 368 yards and rushed for 132 in gaining 500 total yards for the first time this season. The Lions had control of the ball for nearly 34 minutes and were 11-of-20 on third down conversions, while converting their only fourth-down try.
Lindenwood (3-5, 3-5 MIAA) quarterback Mason Bendigo went 20-25 for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, the Lions were led by Johnquavious McBride. The junior had eight tackles, including a fumble recovery and three pass break ups. Kyjuan Tate had eight stops, a sack and a forced fumble, while Laynce Sanders had a sack of his own.David Smith, Rolandeis Toliver, Ryan Solomon and Justin Tomlinson had a half a sack each, while Chris Goss III andMartice Buckley had interceptions. Buckley returned his pick 30 yards for a score.
Southern started on fire as the Lions won the toss and deferred to the second half. The defense forced a three-and-out for Lindenwood and the offense scored on the next possession as Will Gregory capped off a ten play, 65 yard drive to put Southern up 7-0 at the ten minute mark of the first half. The defense then came through big on Lindenwood's next possession as Buckley picked off Bendigo's pass and returned it to the house for a 30-yard score to put Southern up 14-0 with 9:28 left in the first quarter.
Lindenwood added a score to start the second quarter as Connor Harris took the ball in wildcat formation and dove in from the one to cut the Southern lead in half.
Southern answered right back, however as the Lions used a 12 play, 67 yard drive this time, capped off by a touchdown pass from Fleeton to Crawford to go up 21-7 with 10:25 left to go in the second quarter. Lindenwood got a touchdown pass from Bendigo to Tre' Roby to make the score 21-14 and the Lions got a 34-yard field goal from Brock Renken to make the halftime score 24-14.
After Southern punted on its opening possession of the half, Bendigo tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to make the score 24-20, Southern with 10:13 left.
Another Renken field goal, this time from 28 gave the Lions a seven-point lead at 27-20 just as the fourth-quarter started, but Lindenwood tied it up on its next possession. Renken again put the Lions up 30-27, this time from 29 with 7:20 to go in the game. That drive was started after Sanders had sacked Bendigo and forced a fumble that was recovered by Toliver.
After Southern forced a three-and-out, the Lions had the ball with just over five minutes to go. However, a Fleeton interception set up the Lindenwood go-ahead touchdown. Southern would, however, get the ball back as after Lindenwood had drove deep into Southern territory, the defense came up big as Sanders forced another fumble that was recovered by McBride at the Southern 14-yard line. The drive would stall, however, and Southern couldn't complete the comeback.
The Lions will be back in action next Saturday as Southern travels to Pittsburg State to take on the Gorillas. The game will be the NCAA Division II National Game of the Week and can be seen on ESPN 3. Kickoff is slated for 2 pm.
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