Missouri Southern Football returns to action Thursday at Lincoln

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern football team will head out on the road Thursday as the Lions will travel to Lincoln University to take on the Blue Tigers. Kickoff from Dwight T. Reed Stadium is slated for 6 pm.

Game Information

Team Records: MSSU 0-1, 0-1 MIAA | LU 0-1, 0-1 MIAA
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2019
Kick-Off: 6:00 pm, CT
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.
Site: Dwight T. Reed Stadium (5,500)
Series Record: MSSU leads the series 8-2
Coaches: Jeff Sims (0-1 at MSSU, 0-1 overall - first year as a 4-year head coach) | Malik Hoskins (0-1 at Lincoln, 3-8 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.lubluetigers.com.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
Lions on Instagram: @mososports

The Series : Lincoln won the first two games in the series back in 1969 and 1970, but the Lions have won the last eight in a row. Southern is 8-2 overall in the series and are 5-1 at home, while carrying a 2-1 record in Jefferson City. Southern won 56-14 in 2011 when the two teams played in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and the Lions won again last year in a rain-soaked 21-14 game that came down to the last play. The Lions and Lincoln last playe din 2013 when Southern won 59-10 at home.

The Dish On The Blue Tigers: The Blue Tigers made their way back into MIAA play this past weekend after a five-year hiatus playing in the GLVC. Lincoln opened up at Washburn where they fell to the Ichabods 49-27 in Topeka. Hosea Franklin leads Division II in rushing yards per game, and rushing yards total, while ranking third nationally in rushing yards per carry. He racked up 251 yards on the ground and two touchdowns against the Ichabods. Quarterback Chancellor Johnson has 19 yards on the ground and 96 in the air to go with two passing touchdowns. Dre'Shon Alston has caught three passes for 31 yards and a score, while CJ Closser has two catches for 34 yards and a score. Bri'on Sanders has 12 tackles and a forced fumble, while Hasan Muhammad-Rogers has 11 tackles with an interception, a pass break up and two fumble recoveries. The Blue Tigers will be back on the road next week as they travel to Central Oklahoma.

A Victory vs. Lincoln Would: be the ninth win in a row against the Blue Tigers. Southern has won every game against Lincoln dating back to 1974.

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 four teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 7th, while Central Missouri is 21st, Pittsburg State is 23rd and Fort Hays State is 25th. 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 13 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.

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 rank fifth nationally in kickoff returns, while ranking 12th in passing, 16th in yards per completion, 18th in fewest penalties and 24th in tackles for a loss.

MIAA Team Stats Rankings: This year, the Lions lead the MIAA in kickoff returns, passing and tackles for a loss, while ranking second in fewest penalties.

Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Jacob Park ranks ithird nationally in passing touchdowns, 8th in both yards and yards per game, 6th in points responsible and 7th in total offense. Dwayne Lawson ranks 4th in receiving touchdowns, 5th in receiving yards per game, 13th in total touchdowns, 23rd in all purpose yards, 19th in scoring and 21st in total points. Charles West ranks 4th in receiving touchdowns, 13th in total touchdowns and 19th in scoring. Richard Jordan Jr. ranks 2nd nationally in total tackles.

Park it: Park, the Lions' starting quarterback had a stellar first game as he helped lead a second-half surge of offense for the Lions against Nebraska-Kearney. Park finished the game with 351 yards on 19-41 passing and four touchdowns. 276 of those yards and three of the touchdowns were all in the second-half. The four touchdowns is tied for second-best in a single game at MSSU.

Lawson With The Catch: Dwayne Lawson made the switch from quarterback to receiver rather nicely as the junior caught six passes for 179 yards and two scores. That included a 93-yard touchdown catch. The 179 yards is tied for fifth-best all-time in a single game at MSSU.

Westward Movement: Charles West caught two touchdown passes in the game against Nebraska-Kearney to go with 31 yards on the ground.

Tacklers Are Us: Richard Jordan helped lead the defense for the Lions this week as he had the fourth-best single-game tackle mark with 18 against the Lopers in week one.

Hall of Fame: On October 19, former Missouri Southern head coach Jon Lantz will be inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame (posthumously). Lantz coached the Lions to the program's only MIAA Title in 1993 when the team went 9-1-1.

Watch Party Headquarters: For those wanting to catch the Lions on the road, but not able to travel, Gusanos in Joplin will host the official road watch party each Saturday. Come by their location at 7th and Duquesne to check out all the action.

Weather Report: The weather report for the Jefferson City area on Thursday calls for a high of 90 and plenty of sunshine. Precipitation chance is listed at 20% with a southwest wind of 12 mph.

Up Next: The Lions will head back home to play host to Northwest Missouri on September 21. Kickoff against the Bearcats is slated for 6 pm inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium.