Washburn defeats MSSU football 63-7

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Topeka, Kan. -- The Missouri Southern football team recovered four fumbles this afternoon, but couldn't capitalize, falling 63-7 at Washburn University inside Yager Stadium.

Sean Kelly directed the Lions' (0-7, 0-7 MIAA) offense for most of the day, going 9-of-20 for 80 yards through the air. Kelly was also the leading rusher with 30 yards on nine carries and one rushing touchdown. Dalton James had nine carries for 24 yards in the game. Eric Dedric Jr. caught three passes for 70 yards, including a long of 25, while Caleb Batie had six catches out of the back field and eight carries on the ground in his first action back from injury.

Riley Hathorn punted the ball eight times for 331 yards and an average of 41.4, including a long of 48 yards.

Defensively, John Ejizu had nine stops to lead the Lions in tackling. Akel Beard and Keith Beverly both had seven tackles with Beard picking up one of four forced fumbles for the Lions on the day. LaRonzo Davis, Levi Marlay and Mark Mudd all forced fumbles, as well. Paul Williams, Mudd and Alan Glanville picked up fumble recoveries for Southern.

Washburn (4-3, 4-3 MIAA) got a 15-of-19 performance from Mitch Schurig for 224 yards and one score. Ten different Ichabods saw action in the backfield with backup quarterback Ian Trapp running six times for a team-high 67 yards and a score.

The Ichabods scored on their opening possession, but the Lions fought right back, driving nearly the length of the field. Southern capitalized on big passes from Kelly to Dedrick of 22 and 25 yards to get inside the redzone. Facing a fourth-and-goal, the Lions were attempting a field goal, but the kick was blocked and returned by the Ichabods to make the score 14-0.

On Southern's next possession the Lions were forced to punt, but the special teams forced a fumble on the return, starting back up at the Washburn 39-yard line. That drive resulted in a blocked kick by the Ichabods, but again, the Southern defense came up strong, forcing a fumble on the Ichabods' first play from scrimmage. The Lions this time capitalized and Kelly rushed for a 14-yard score to cut the lead in half, 14-7 with 2:41 left in the first quarter.

Southern forced another fumble on special teams late in the half, this time with Mudd causing the force and Aaron Willis picking up the loose ball on the Washburn 18-yard line. The Lions couldn't convert, turning over the ball on downs at the WU 10-yard line.

The Lions forced one more fumble in the game, this time in the fourth when Davis forced a fumble recovered by Williams.

Southern will be back in action next weekend when the Lions will play host to Northeastern State for the annual Hall of Fame Game. Kickoff from inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium at the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 5 pm. The weekend will feature the induction of former Lion football star Colin Bado, as well as track and field athlete Jessica Selby-Tallman and the 1978 MSSU Baseball team into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame.