he Missouri Southern football team will play its final home game this Saturday as the Lions play host to the Tigers of Fort Hays State University on Senior Day. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 3 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 1-8, 1-8 MIAA | FHSU - 6-3, 6-3 MIAAA
Date: Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015
Kick-Off: 3:00 p.m., CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)
Series Record: MSSU leads the series 13-12-1
Coaches: Denver Johnson (1-8 at MSSU, 70-74 overall) | Chris Brown (28-25 overall/at FHSU)
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/mssu/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.
Chris Brown enters his fifth season as head coach of Fort Hays State. Brown came to Fort Hays State from Washburn University, where he served as the defensive coordinator and coach from 2002-2010 and assistant head coach in 2010. He has a career record of 28-25, all at FHSUBrown helped Washburn compile a 62-41 record in his nine-year span with the program, which included two NCAA playoff appearances and two bowl wins. In his time at Washburn as defensive coordinator, Brown coached the 2009 and 2006 MIAA Most Valuable Defensive Players. As DC, he guided two players selected in the NFL Draft (defensive tackle Trey Lewis-6th round 2007, and cornerback Cary Williams-7th round 2008), six All-Americans, 20 all-region, and 41 All-MIAA selections at Washburn. His defense led the MIAA three of the last four seasons in turnovers gained, including a school record-tying 23 interceptions in 2007.
The Series: Missouri Southern holds the all-time series with an overall record of 13-12-1. The Lions have a 6-5 record at Hughes Stadium and are 7-7-1 at Lewis Field in Hays. The two teams renewed their series in 2006 for the first time since 1988, with the Tigers snapping a season-long losing streak with a 10-0 win over Southern. Prior to that, the last time for the two to meet was when both schools were a member of the NAIA Central States Intercollegiate Conference. Southern won that game 21-10. Southern has won nine of the last 13 games against the Tigers, dating back to the 1983 season.
The Dish On The Tigers: The Tigers are 6-3 on the season and have split their last six games, but are coming off of a 24-7 win over Nebraska-Kearney. Hays is led by its quarterback Treveon Albert as he is one of two players on the team with 1,000 plus yards rushing. Albert has 1,001 yards on the groun and five touchdowns, while he has thrown for 1,302 yards in the air and has 11 touchdowns. Shaquill Cooper leads the rushing attack with 1,149 yards on 190 carries. He is averaging 6.0 per rush and eight scores on the ground. Andrew Flory is the leading receiver as he has 28 receptions for 379 yards and three scores. Cooper has caught 26 passes out of the back field for 221 yards and four touchdowns, while Evan Jennings has two touchdowns on 11 catches and 222 yards. Defensively, Brock Long leads the Tigers with 136 tackles and 20.5 for a loss. He has nine sacks on the season and one interception. DeAndre James has 69 tackles and two for a loss with two interceptions, while Sie Doe, Jr. has 52 tackles and 3.5 sacks.The Tigers, as a team are out rushing their opponents 266-165, but are out passed 234-146 per game. They, however, out gain their opponents 412-399 in total offense. Hays will conclude the regular season next week at home against Central Missouri.
A Victory vs. Fort Hays State Would: be the 10th in the last 14 tries against the Tigers. It would also stop a two-game winning streak by Fort Hays.
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: The Lions rank ninth nationally in fourth down defense, while ranking 20th in fewest penalties per game. The team ranks 23rd in fewest penalties overall, while ranking 33rd in fewest penalty yards per game and 37th in fewest penalty yards. The team ranks 27th in turnovers gaines, while ranking 29th in interceptions. Southern ranks 38th in defensive touchdowns, while ranking 39th in tackles for a loss.
MIAA Stat Leaders: Southern ranks second in the MIAA in fourth down defense, while ranking second also in fewest penalties and fewest penalties per game. The team ranks third in defensive touchdowns, while ranking third in tackles for a loss, turnovers gained, fumbles recovered, fewest penalty yards and fewest penalty yards per game. They rank fourth in blocked kicks allowed, while ranking fifth in passing yards per completion.
Individual National Leaders: Ricky Green ranks 19th nationally in passes defended, while Johnquafious McBride ranks 27th in both solo tackles and fumbles recovered. Kyjuan Tate ranks 43rd in total tackles, while Stetson Broce ranks 45th in punting.
MIAA Individual Leaders: Green ranks third in passes defended, while Broce is third in punting. McBride and Green rank fourth in fumbles recovered and interceptions, respectively, while McBride is sixth in solo tackles and Tate is eighth in total tackles.
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 14th and Central Missouri is 24th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has seven teams in the top 25. There are 11 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.
Interceptions 'R Us: EJ McKenzie and Ricky Greenboth have multiple interception games this season. The Lions, as a team, have 13 interceptions this year.
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. He had three versus Lindenwood
Take It To The House: The Lions have returned interceptions for a touchdown in each of the last two games. Martice Buckley took one back for 30 yards against Lindenwood and EJ McKenzie took one back 35 yards against Pitt State. Buckley was the first person since 2012 when Gatlin Ridgway took it to the house against South Dakota Mines.
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.
Senior Day: The Lions will honor 18 seniors on their roster today that will be playing their last home game at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
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 Joplin area on Saturday calls for a high of 60 degrees with a zero percent chance of rain and sunny conditions.
Up Next: The Lions will conclude the 2015 season with a game at Missouri Western next week. Kickoff from St. Joseph is slated for 11 am.
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