The Missouri Southern football team will play host to Fort Hays State on Thursday night to open up the 2017 regular season. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium, inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 7 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 0-0, 0-0 MIAA | FHSU 0-0, 0-0 MIAA
Date: Thursday, August 31, 2017
Kick-Off: 7 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)
Series Record: FHSU leads the series 14-13-1
Coaches: Denver Johnson (3-18 at MSSU, 72-85 overall) | Chris Brown (28-30 overall/at FHSU)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: ESPN Joplin 101.3, 103.5 FM and AM 1560; 88.7 FM KXMS - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Scott Boudreaux, Color
Video Webcast: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/mssu/football
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: Fort Hays State leads the all-time series 14-13-1. The Lions have a 6-6 record at Hughes Stadium and are 7-8-1 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 14 games against the Tigers, dating back to the 1983 season.
The Dish On The Tigers: Fort Hays State was 8-4 last season overall, including a 7-4 mark in conference play. The Tigers earned a bid to the Heart of Texas Bowl, winning 45-12 over Eastern New Mexico. The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in both the media and coaches polls that were announced at Media Days this year. FHSU is led offensively by quarterback Jacob Mezera. He runs the show and last season threw for 2.541 yards on 215-341 through the air with 19 touchdowns. He also ran for two scores on the ground. Mezera has a core group of receivers coming back that all picked up at least 370 yards on the season, led by Layne Bieberle who caught 31 passes for 506 yards and seven touchdowns. Charles Tigner caught 37 passes for 453 yards and four scores, while Tyler Bacon caught 38 passes for 373 yards. Kenneth Iheme is the leading ball carrier returning as the logged 106 rushes last year for 526 yards and 5.0 per carry with one score. Defensively, Jose Delgado is the leading returning tackler with 114 tackles, 55 solo and 8.5 tackles for a loss. Doyin Jibowu had 66 tackles with seven TFL and a sack. Nathan Shepherd had 61 tackles and three sacks. The Tigers are at home next week against Central Missouri.
A Victory vs. Fort Hays State Would: be just the first in the last six meetings against the Tigers and the first win at home since 2007 vs. the Tigers.
NFL Representation: The Lions will have two different players on NFL rosters to start the season. Brandon Williams is a starter on the defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, while Allen Barbre will be with the Denver Broncos this year.
Show Me The Money: Brandon Williams has become a leader on the defense for the Baltimore Ravens, as well as the NFL. In the offseason, Williams became the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL and the eighth-highest paid defensive lineman when he signed a five-year, $54 million contract.
NFL Executive: Former Lion and former NFL wide receiver James Thrash is in his second season serving as the NFL and NFLPA's Appeals Officer. He hears all appeals for the NFL regarding on-field player discipline. Thrash played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Lions On Radio: The Lions will partner with ESPN Joplin this year as Southern can now be heard on three separate FM stations, as well as an AM station. ESPN Joplin will air the Lions' games on 101.3 and 103.5 FM, as well as AM 1560. MSSU's KXMS 88.7 will also simulcast the games giving the Lions a larger reach in the four-states than they've ever had.
Tough League/Region: The MIAA has three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 1st, while Emporia State is 4th and Central Missouri is 21st. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 24, including the top four teams nationally. There are 14 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.
Lions On TV: Missouri Southern's KGCS will air every Lions home game live this year during the season. They will also re-broadcast the games on Sunday evenings at 7 pm.
Lions On The Web: All of MSSU's football games are carried live online as part of the MIAA Network. Fans can go to www.mssulions.com to view live and on-demand games.
Streaming Options: Fans now have even more options to view the Lions online in their homes and on the road. Not only can you view on your computer, fans can now view The MIAA Network on its over the top apps for either Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Android TV.
Team Stats Rankings: In 2016, the Lions led Division II in blocked punts allowed, not allowing a single blocked punt all year. The team ranked 24th in fewest fumbles lost and 28th in fewest sacks allowed.
Individual Stats Rankings: In 2016, Josiah Bennettranked seventh nationally in yards per reception, hauling in 23.5 yards per catch in his true freshman season.
MIAA Preseason Polls: The MIAA released its preseason polls as part of its annual Media Day on August 2. The Lions were picked 11th in the coaches poll and tenth in the media poll.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Thursday calls for mostly sunny conditions and a high of 83 degrees with a ten percent chance of precipitation.
A Victory vs. Fort Hays State Would: be just the first in the last six meetings against the Tigers and the first win at home since 2007 vs. the Tigers.
NFL Representation: The Lions will have two different players on NFL rosters to start the season. Brandon Williams is a starter on the defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, while Allen Barbre will be with the Denver Broncos this year.
Show Me The Money: Brandon Williams has become a leader on the defense for the Baltimore Ravens, as well as the NFL. In the offseason, Williams became the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL and the eighth-highest paid defensive lineman when he signed a five-year, $54 million contract.
NFL Executive: Former Lion and former NFL wide receiver James Thrash is in his second season serving as the NFL and NFLPA's Appeals Officer. He hears all appeals for the NFL regarding on-field player discipline. Thrash played 12 seasons in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Lions On Radio: The Lions will partner with ESPN Joplin this year as Southern can now be heard on three separate FM stations, as well as an AM station. ESPN Joplin will air the Lions' games on 101.3 and 103.5 FM, as well as AM 1560. MSSU's KXMS 88.7 will also simulcast the games giving the Lions a larger reach in the four-states than they've ever had.
Tough League/Region: The MIAA has three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 1st, while Emporia State is 4th and Central Missouri is 21st. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 24, including the top four teams nationally. There are 14 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.
Lions On TV: Missouri Southern's KGCS will air every Lions home game live this year during the season. They will also re-broadcast the games on Sunday evenings at 7 pm.
Lions On The Web: All of MSSU's football games are carried live online as part of the MIAA Network. Fans can go to www.mssulions.com to view live and on-demand games.
Streaming Options: Fans now have even more options to view the Lions online in their homes and on the road. Not only can you view on your computer, fans can now view The MIAA Network on its over the top apps for either Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Android TV.
Team Stats Rankings: In 2016, the Lions led Division II in blocked punts allowed, not allowing a single blocked punt all year. The team ranked 24th in fewest fumbles lost and 28th in fewest sacks allowed.
Individual Stats Rankings: In 2016, Josiah Bennettranked seventh nationally in yards per reception, hauling in 23.5 yards per catch in his true freshman season.
MIAA Preseason Polls: The MIAA released its preseason polls as part of its annual Media Day on August 2. The Lions were picked 11th in the coaches poll and tenth in the media poll.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Thursday calls for mostly sunny conditions and a high of 83 degrees with a ten percent chance of precipitation.
Up Next: The Lions will head on the road next Thursday night, taking on Missouri Western at 7 pm.
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