The Missouri Southern football team will open up the 2018 season this Thursday night when the Lions travel to Kearney, Nebraska to take on the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Kickoff time from Cope Stadium is slated for 6 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 0-0, 0-0 MIAA | UNK 0-0, 0-0 MIAA
Date: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Kick-Off: 6 pm, CT
Location: Kearney, Neb.
Site: Foster Field/Ron and Carol Cope Stadium (5,250)
Series Record: UNK leads 9-7
Coaches: Denver Johnson (3-30 at MSSU, 72-96 overall) | Josh Lynn (3-8 at UNK, 30-33 overall)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: Fox Sports Joplin 101.3, 101.7 and AM 1560; 88.7 FM KXMS - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Scott Boudreaux, Color
Video Webcast: http://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: https://lopers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: Nebraska-Kearney holds a 9-7 record in the overall series, however the two teams have only played each other four times since the 1988 season (three Lions wins) the last year Southern participated as a member of the NAIA and the Central States Intercollegiate Conference. The series features one of the most unique situations as both teams historically have been better at the other team's facility. The Lions are 2-6 at home, while 5-3 in Kearney. UNK won the first four meetings, but Southern took the next three. The Lions have won three out of the last four meetings.
The Dish On The Gorillas: The Lopers were picked tenth in both the MIAA Coaches and Media preseason polls. UNK won three games last year under first-year head coach Josh Lynn, including defeating the Lions 16-6 in Joplin. The Lopers are led offensively by Dayton Sealey as the running back carried the ball 53 times last season for 259 yards and five scores. Quarterback Alex McGinnis saw minimal action, but is the top returning passer with 84 yards on 6-11 passing and a touchdown. He also carried the ball 14 times for 31 yards and a score. Through the air, the Lopers are led by Alex Harms and Austan Daniels. Harms caught 19 passes for 282 yards and a score, while Daniels had 15 catches for 155 yards. Sealey had nine catches out of the backfield for 142 yards and a score. Defensively, the Lopers return Sal Silvio who had 81 tackles last season, including 13.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks, while also notching two forced fumbles and one interception. Dallas Vaughn and Zach Sullivan had 63 and 60 tackles each, while both had a sack and Sullivan recorded 6.5 tackles for a loss. The Lopers will be at Central Oklahoma next week for a 7 pm kickoff.
A Victory vs. Nebraska-Kearney Would: keep the trend of the road team winning in the series. It would be the Lions sixth win in Kearney and would stop a 13-game losing streak for the Lions.
NFL Representation: The Lions will have Brandon Williams as the lone MSSU alum in the NFL this season. Williams has blossomed into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL and last season became one of the highest-paid, as well, signing 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 Fox Sports Joplin this year as Southern can now be heard on three separate FM stations, as well as an AM station. Fox Sports Joplin will air the Lions' games on 101.3 and 101.7 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. Fort Hays State and Northwest Missouri are tied at No. 5, while Central Missouri is at No. 18. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has eight teams in the top 25. There are 15 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.
NCAA Team Stats Rankings: Last season, the Lions ranked 17th in fewest penalties and and fewest penalty yards per game, while ranking 14th in fewest penalties per game and 21st in fewest penalty yards. The team also ranked 29th in blocked kicks, 44th in kickoff return defense and 58th in fumbles lost (fewest).
MIAA Team Stats Rankings: Last season, Southern was second in the MIAA in fewest penalties and penalty yards and per game stats in those categories. The Lions also ranked third in the MIAA in blocked kicks, while ranking fourth in kickoff return defense and sixth in fumbles lost (fewest).
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Roc Robbins ranked 13th in blocked kicks and 34th in fumbles recovered.
Returning All-MIAA: Robbins, as well as offensive linemen Mike Dzierzega and Aaron Leo and defensive back Carter Rees were all named All-MIAA last year.
Legion of Boom: The Lions should have a very formidable linebacking corps as two of the top three tacklers from last season (Roc Robbins and Akel Beard), as well as the top tackler from 2016 (Justin Legier) will anchor the position this season.
Welcome Back Joe: Former Lion Joe Bettasso has returned to the Green and Gold as the Defensive Coordinator. Bettasso played for Southern from 2002 - 2005 and later was a student assistant coach for the Lions.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Kearney area on Thursday calls for a high of 81 and cloudy conditions with a 20 percent chance of precipitation.
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