The Missouri Southern football team have its home opener this Saturday as the Lions play host to Lindenwood University inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex. Kickoff is slated for 6 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 0-1, 0-1 MIAA | LWU 0-1, 0-1 MIAA
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2018
Kick-Off: 6 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium/Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex (7,000)
Series Record: LWU leads 4-1
Coaches: Denver Johnson (3-31 at MSSU, 72-97 overall) | Jed Stugart (4-8 at LWU, 95-32 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: http://www.mssulions.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: Lindenwood leads the series 4-1 and this is the fifth-ever meeting between the two schools. Lindenwood took the first match-up in 2012, 45-30, while Missouri Southern won 31-17 in 2014. Both games were played in St. Charles. 2015's game was the first game played in Joplin. The two teams were slated to play in 2013 for MSSU's Homecoming game, but the event was cancelled after the tragic shooting death of MSSU Offensive Line Coach, Derek Moore.
The Dish On Lindenwood: The Lions were down 17-14 at the half in their season opener at home against Washburn, but the Ichabods scored ten third-quarter points to take out Lindenwood 27-14 last Thursday. Lindenwood was picked to finish eighth in the MIAA preseason coaches poll and ninth by the media. The Lions are led offensively by quarterback Cade Brister as he is the top rusher with 60 yards on 22 carries and a tocuhdown, while throwing 14-for-21 for 146 yards and a touchdown.Nash Sutherlin has nine carries for 29 yards, while Cameron Sanders has 27 yards on 11 carries. Jarrett Johnson has 62 yards through the air on six receptions, while Payton Rose has three catches for 47 yards. Erik Hennaman has the lone receiving touchdown on his one reception of the season. Defensively, the Lions are led by Drew Sears with 15 tackles, while Grady Daniels has 13 of his own. CJ Bivens has 11 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and a half sack, while Jonathan Harris has the other half sack. The Lions had 263 yards of total offense last week and gave up 341 to Washburn. Lindenwood lost one of three fumbles it had in the game. The Lions will be back in action next week when they play host to Central Oklahoma at 7 pm.
A Victory vs. Lindenwood Would: stop a three-game losing streak to Lindenwood. It would be just the second in the series against the Lions and would stop a 14-game overall losing streak for MSSU.
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 is 5th, while is 6th. Central Missouri is in at No. 21. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has nine 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: So far after one game, the Lions rank first as a team in fourth down conversion defense, blocked kicks and punts allowed and passes had intercepted. The team is third in kickoff return defense, 10th in punt return defense, 23rd in passing defense, 27th in fumbles recovered and 37th in fewest penalty yardage.
MIAA Team Stats Rankings: This year, the Lions lead the MIAA in fourth down conversion defense, blocked kicks and punts allowed, kickoff return defense, punt return defense and passes had intercepted, while ranking second in passing defense and third in tackles for a loss allowed.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Alex Alvarado ranks second nationally in fumbles recovered, while Deshon Cowling ranks 10th in solo tackles and 20th in total tackles.
Tackle Em Up: Last week in the Lions' opener, Deshon Cowling had a game-high 13 tackles, while Justin Legier had ten tackles in his first game back after sitting out all of 2017. Cowling and Paul Williams both had two tackles for a loss at UNK.
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 Joplin area on Saturday calls for a high of 75 and scattered thunderstorms with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.
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