The Missouri Southern football team will play host to Missouri Western this Saturday as the Lions will take on the Griffons for Homecoming. Kickoff is slated for 2 pm inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium/Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 0-5, 0-5 MIAA | MWSU 3-2, 3-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
Kick-Off: 2:00 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium/Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex (7,000)
Series Record: MWSU leads 25-23
Coaches: Joe Bettasso (0-2 at MSSU, 10-3 overall) | Matt Williamson (7-9 at MWSU, 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://www.mssulions.com.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: The all-time series record between the two teams has Missouri Western leading 25-23. The Lions are 13-12 mark at Fred G. Hughes Stadium and 10-13 in St. Joseph. Western has won ten of the last 14 against the Lions, but Southern has two wins against MWSU when the Griffons were ranked including a huge fourth-quarter comeback against then 12th ranked Western in 2009 in St. Joseph and another fourth-quarter comeback in 2012 in St. Joseph against then fourth-ranked Western. Southern dominated the series with the Griffons early on, winning the first five meetings in a row, and ten out of the first 13. The largest margin of victory for the Lions was in two separate games (1970 & 1972 - 45 points), and for the Griffons was in 2015 (42).
The Dish On The Griffons: The Griffons are 3-2 on the season with an upset win over then fifth-ranked Fort Hays State, as well as back-to-back wins over Northeastern State and Washburn in the last two weeks. The Griffons have won each of their home games, while losing both road contests. Dom Marino leads the offense as the quarterback is 66-for-116 with 790 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. On the ground, Marino has 50 carries for 294 yards and three touchdowns. James Bailey is the leading rusher for the Griffons with 53 carries and 338 yards with two scores, while Shamar Griffith has two scores on the ground, as well. Through the air, Marino targets Keylan Mack the most with 19 catches for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Vang has two receiving touchdowns, while Elijah Cunningham has 138 yards on 11 receptions. Defensively, Anthony Williams has a team-high 35 tackles with 22 solo, a pass break up, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble. James Huskey has 33 stops with 3.5 tackles for a loss and two quarterback hurries, while Jabbar Miles has 28 tackles, three interceptions and four pass break ups. The Griffons average 213 yards per game on the ground and 189 yards in the air for 402 yards of total offense per game. Western will be back in action next week, playing host to Central Oklahoma.
A Victory vs. Missouri Western Would: stop a five-game losing streak to the Griffons. It would bring the season series to 25-24 in favor of the Griffons and would stop an 18-game overall losing streak for MSSU. It would be the first MSSU win for interim head coach Joe Bettasso.
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. Pittsburg State is 8th, while Northwest Missouri is 16th and Fort Hays State is 18th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has four teams in the top ten and has nine 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'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: The Lions lead the NCAA in blocked kicks and punts allowed, while ranking 27th in fewest penalty yards per game. Southern ranks 32nd in fewest penalties per game, while ranking 35th in fewest penalty yards and 41st in fewest penalties.
MIAA Team Stats Rankings: This year, the Lions lead the MIAA in fewest penalty yards and fewest penalty yards and fewest penalty yards per game, while also leading the league in blocked kicks and punts allowed. Southern ranks second in fewest penalties and fewest penalties per game, while ranking fourth in fumbles recovered.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Alex Alvarado, Trevor Plafcan, Richard Jordan Jr. and Lorenzo Credit all rank 44th nationally in fumbles recovered. Riley Hathorn ranks 42nd in punting.
MIAA Individual Stats Rankings: Alvarado, Plafcan, Jordan and Credit rank second in fumble recoveries, while Paul Wolff is fifth in field goal percentage and Cole Dunbar is fifth in kick returns. Hathorn ranks fourth in punting.
New Interim Head Coach: Lions' defensive coordinator Joe Bettasso has be tabbed as the Interim Head Coach after Denver Johnson stepped down on September 18.
Run Em Up Batie: Caleb Batie had an impressive first game at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. The sophomore rushed for 151 yards on 19 carries with zero negative yardage against Lindenwood.
A Perfect Leg: Paul Wolff was perfect again against Fort Hays State, making field goals of 39 and 33 yards, while also going 1-for-1 on extra point attempts. This season, Wolff is 4-4 on field goals and 3-3 on extra points.
Back-To-Back 15: In back-to-back weeks, two separate Lions' defenders posted 15-tackle games. Justin Legier had 15 stops against Fort Hays State, while Alan Glanville had 15 tackles against Central Missouri in his first extended action of the season.
Tackling a Legacy: Richard Jordan Jr., the son of Lions' Hall of Famer Richard Jordan Sr. is following in his father's footsteps rather nicely. Jordan recorded his first collegiate sack against Lindenwood and followed that up with a pass break up on the ensuing play.
Welcome Back Joe: Former Lion Joe Bettasso has returned to the Green and Gold as the Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. Bettasso played for Southern from 2002 - 2005 and later was a student assistant coach for the Lions.
Defensive Lineage: Three former Lions' defensive coaches, all whom current Interim Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Joe Bettasso learned under, are all in high-profile positions. Scottie Hazelton (04-05) is the Defensive Coordinator at Wyoming, Brian Ward (2005) is the Defensive Coordinator at Syracuse and Todd Wash (2004) is the Defensive Coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for a high of 72 and scattered thunder showers. Precipitation chance is listed at 60% with a NW wind of 12 mph.
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