The Missouri Southern football team will head east across the state line as the Lions will play at Pittsburg State this Saturday. Kickoff for the Miners Bowl from Carnie Smith Stadium is slated for 2 pm. The game will also be the NCAA Division II Game of the Week and be seen on ESPN 3.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 1-7, 1-7 MIAA | PSU - 5-3, 5-3 MIAAA
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015
Kick-Off: 2:00 p.m., CT
Location: Pittsburg, Kan.
Site: Carnie Smith Stadium (7,950)
Series Record: PSU leads the series 37-9-1
Coaches: Denver Johnson (1-7 at MSSU, 70-73 overall) | Tim Beck (52-17 overall/ at PSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: FM 99.7 Real American Country - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Scott Boudreaux, Color
Video Webcast:http://portal.stretchinternet.com/mssu/
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/pittstate/football
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Coaches: Denver Johnson was named the 13th head coach in Missouri Southern history on April 1, 2015. He comes to Southern after serving four seasons at the University of Tulsa as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator. In his four seasons at Tulsa, four of his offensive linemen earned first-team all-league accolades, including Stetson Burnett (2013), Brian DeShane and Jared Grigg (2012) and Clint Anderson (2011). Tyler Holmes was an honorable mention performer in 2011 and spent the 2012 season with the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson coached an offensive line that helped pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in two of his final three seasons at Tulsa. In 2012, Tulsa's offense ranked fourth nationally for fewest sacks allowed, ninth for rushing offense, 21st for fewest tackles for lost yardage allowed and 28th for total offense. Johnson has spent a total of 30 years coaching college football. In the summer of 2012, Johnson was awarded the Merv Johnson Integrity in College Coaching Award by the Jim Thorpe Association. Johnson has been the head coach at two Division I institutions garnering a 69-66 overall record in 12 seasons at Murray State and Illinois State. An All-Missouri Valley Conference offensive lineman as a senior for Tulsa, Johnson was an eighth round draft choice by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1981. He spent two years (1981-82) with the Bucs and three seasons in the USFL, playing two years (1983-84) with the Los Angeles Express and the 1985 season with the Houston Gamblers. Johnson's USFL tenure included playing stints with NFL Hall of Fame quarterbacks Jim Kelly and Steve Young. Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in business management from Tulsa in 1981. He and his wife, Danita Kay, have two daughters: Taylor and Kelsey.
Tim Beck is in his sixth season as head coach at Pittsburg State. Beck previously served as Assistant Head Coach for two years, after being named to that role on the Pitt State staff on December 13, 2007. He was 6-6 in his first season, and led the Gorillas to a National Championship in 2013. He is 52-17 in his four plus years as head coach. During his 16 seasons as offensive coordinator, the Gorilla offense consistently has been ranked among the finest units in NCAA Division II. In 2004, PSU shattered a 118-year-old scoring record, scoring an amazing 837 points (55.8 ppg). His squad also set the NCAA all division records for rushing (5,320 yards) and total offense (8,976 yards). Beck, a Ness City, Kan., native, played football at Dodge City Community College for two years before joining the Gorilla program.
The Series: Pittsburg State holds a 37-9-1 advantage in the series and had won 19 in a row before the Lions won 35-21 2013 in Pittsburg. Missouri Southern has won six of 24 meetings in Joplin, but the Lions have just three times in Pittsburg (3-19-1). The Lions are 6-17 in Joplin. The win in 2013 for MSSU stopped a 19-game winning streak and was the first win in Pittsburg since 1983. The two teams have played each year since 1968 in what is the longest running series for MSSU. The Lions led 5-4-1 after the first 10 meetings. The two teams began competing for the Miners' Bowl Trophy in 1986.
The Series: Pittsburg State holds a 37-9-1 advantage in the series and had won 19 in a row before the Lions won 35-21 2013 in Pittsburg. Missouri Southern has won six of 24 meetings in Joplin, but the Lions have just three times in Pittsburg (3-19-1). The Lions are 6-17 in Joplin. The win in 2013 for MSSU stopped a 19-game winning streak and was the first win in Pittsburg since 1983. The two teams have played each year since 1968 in what is the longest running series for MSSU. The Lions led 5-4-1 after the first 10 meetings. The two teams began competing for the Miners' Bowl Trophy in 1986.
The Dish On Pitt State: Pittsburg State is coming off of a 24-19 road win at Nebraska-Kearney this past weekend. The Gorillas have wins at NSU Fort Hays and Nebraska-Kearney, while winning at home against Lindenwood and Fort Hays.PSU will be without its leading offensive threat and starting quarterback as John Roderique is done for the season with an injury. Before suffering the injury, Roderique had nine scores on the ground and had thrown for nine in the air. Jeff Seybold has 528 carries on the ground with five scores, while Marquise Cushon leads the receiving corps with 24 catches for 309 yards. Levi Copelin has 23 receptions for 333 yards and two scores, while Seybold has caught 16 passes out of the backfield for 174 yards and a pair of scores, as well.Defensively, Deron Washington leads the Gorillas in tackles with 70 total stops. Heath Wilson leads the team with 9.5 tackles for a loss and six sacks, while Darnell Walker has a team-leading five interceptions. The Gorillas average 220.5 yards per game on the ground and 175.5 in the air. They average 396.0 per game of total offense, while giving up 391.6. Pitt will be back in action next weekend as the Gorillas travel to Central Missouri.
A Victory vs. Pittsburg State Would: be the second in a row on the road against the Gorillas. It would be only the fourth overall in Pittsburg and just the third in the last 32 years.
NFL Representation: The Lions will 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 will start on the offensive line for the Philadelphia Eagles.
NCAA Stat Leaders: 14th in fourth-down defense, while ranking 26th in turnovers forced. The team ranks 28th in both fewest penalties per game and fumbles recovered, while ranking 31st in fewest penalties and 36th in interceptions. The team ranks 40th in tackles for a loss, 46th in fewest penalty yards per game and 53rd in fewest penalty yards.
MIAA Stat Leaders: The Lions rank second in fourth down defense, while ranking third in turnovers forced, tackles for a loss, and fumbles recovered. They rank fourth in both fewest penalties and fewest penalties per game, while ranking fourth in interceptions.
Individual National Leaders: Chad Nolan ranks second nationally in yards per reception with 23.81 per catch. Ricky Green ranks 15th in passes defended and 24th in interceptions. Johnquavious McBrideranks 22nd in fumbles recovered and Stetson Broce ranks 51st in punting.
MIAA Individual Leaders: Nolan leads the MIAA in yards per catch, while ranking fifth in touchdown receptions. Green ranks second in passes defended, while McBride ranks third in fumbles recovered. Green and McBride rank 3rd and 5th, respectively in interceptions.
Lions On Radio: The Lions can be heard on the air every game live on KBTN 99.7 FM. Mike McClure is back for his third season covering the Lions, while Scott Boudreaux will provide color commentary.
Tough League/Region: The MIAA has three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 2nd, while Emporia State is 13th and Central Missouri is 25th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 25. There are 12 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.
Lions On TV: Missouri Southern will be on regional and national TV twice this season. The Lions' homecoming game against Lindenwood will be part of the MIAA's TV Game of the Week, while the game at Pittsburg State will be the NCAA Division II Game of the Week, airing on ESPN3.
Lions On The Web: All of MSSU's football games are carried live online as part of the MIAA's streaming contract with Stretch Internet. Fans can view games live by clicking on the link on www.mssulions.com.
300-Yard Passer: TJ Fleeton threw for 368 yards against Lindenwood. He was the first Lion to accomplish that feet since 2011 when Collin Howard had 344 against Southwest Baptist
Interceptions 'R Us: EJ McKenzie and Ricky Green both have multiple interception games this season. The Lions, as a team, have 11 interceptions this year.
Have A Game Will: Will Gregory had his third 100-yard rushing efford of the season against Lindenwood when he recorded 126 yards against the Lions.
Three Field Goals: Brock Renken became the first Lion since 2010 to have three field goals in a game when Dallas Herndon had three against Missouri Western.
Take It To The House: Martice Buckley returned an interception for 30 yards and a score against Lindenwood. He was the first person since 2012 when Gatlin Ridgway took it to the house against South Dakota Mines.
Catch 'Em Long: Chad Nolan ranks second nationally in yards per catch hauling in 23.81 yards per reception. He also leads the MIAA in that category.
Welcome Back Kenny: Defensive Coordinator Kenny Evans is back in green and gold for MSSU. Evans spent nine seasons on the late John Lantz's staff at Missouri Southern from 1989-97 where he helped guide the program into the ranks of NCAA Division II and help MSSU go 51-35 during that stretch.
MIAA TV Game Of The Week: The MIAA Football Game of the Week will now be carried in Joplin! KGCS will carry each game of the week live on channel 22 over the air and on regional cable TV stations.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Pittsburg area on Saturday calls for a high of 62 degrees with a 90 percent chance of morning showers.
Up Next: The Lions will come back home for senior day as Southern plays host to Fort Hays State on November 7. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is slated for 3 pm.
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