MSSU football falls to Washburn 37-20 on Senior Day

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern football team trailed 21-7 at the half, but the Lions couldn't complete the comeback, falling 37-20 to Washburn inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium today for Senior Day.

The Lions (4-7, 4-7 MIAA) wrap up the regular season with four wins in coach Atiba Bradley's second season.

Luke Sampson went 18-of-32 for 233 yards and a touchdown, while Jaedon Stoshak caught four passes for 84 yards and a score and ran back an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. Stoshak's punt return touchdown is the second of the season for him and ties a single-season and career record at Missouri Southern with Steve Sater (1981).

Dwayne Lawson ran for 61 yards, while Nick Williams had three punts for a 47.7-yard average including a long of 71 yards.

Defensively, Richard Jordan Jr. led the Lions with 14 tackles in his final game as a Lion. Colton Winder had nine tackles and an interception, while Coleman Booker and Solomon Garcia had seven tackles each. Ife Current had an interception and two break ups to go with five tackles, while Jamie Tago and Kalepo Fiaseu had a sack each.

The Lions out gained Washburn (7-4, 7-4 MIAA) passing 233-215, but were just shy of the Ichabods 337-283 in total yards.

Washburn had four different players record a touchdown today.

Washburn started the scoring off as time was winding down in the first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead with 1:57 left and added another touchdown with 9:28 remaining in the second quarter.

The Lions got on the board on the next drive as Sampson hit Stoshak for a 43-yard touchdown to cut the lead in half. The Ichabods added one more touchdown to make the score 21-7 at the break.

Stoshak started the scoring in the third with his 83-yard punt return for a touchdown as he shifted through traffic and eventually found daylight on the opposite side of the field.

Washburn added a safety and a touchdown before the Lions got a one-yard score from Akeem Gilmore to make the score 30-20 with 12:46 remaining in the game. The Ichabods added one final tally.

Jordan finishes the season with 106 tackles and is the third Lion to record three separate 100-tackle seasons in his career. He finished his career with 381 tackles, ranking third in MSSU history behind only Hall of Famer's Ron Burton and his father Richard Jordan Sr.

Williams finishes the season just off the single-season record for punting average at 43.3 (43.4 is the record). He ranks sixth in a career in kick scoring (120), while his 24 field goals rank fourth-most all-time at MSSU.

MSSU football falls 27-5 to number 11 Northwest Missouri

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Maryville, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team started strong and played strong defense in the opening half, but the Lions fell 27-5 at No. 11 ranked Northwest Missouri today inside Bearcat Stadium.

Southern (4-6, 4-6 MIAA) picked up a safety from Jamie Tago on the Bearcats' opening possession and Nick Williams added a 39-yard field goal in the game.

Luke Sampson went 16-of-32 for 167 yards, while Jaedon Stoshak had six receptions for 63 yards and Ezekiel Lang caught four passes for 55 yards. Ja'Veon Marlow ran eight times for 80 yards, while Nathan Glades had 12 carries for 52 yards.

Defensively, Colton Winder had 11 tackles, including nine solo and a half a tackle for a loss. Richard Jordan Jr. had six stops, while Zach Bergmann had five tackles and a forced fumble. Tago finished with a pair of tackles for a loss, while Jermaine Young Jr. had a sack and Jalen Dennis picked up a fumble recovery.

Northwest (8-2, 8-2 MIAA) was led by Mike Hohensee as the quarterback went 12-of-15 for 95 yardas and had 24 yards on the ground with a score. Jay Harris, Jadon Brady and Jamar Moya had a touchdown each on the ground.

The Lions started strong as the defense led the way in the opening quarter. After a Williams' punt that pinned the Bearcats inside their own two-yard line, Tago sacked Hohensee in the endzone for a safety and put the Lions up 2-0 at the end of the first.

The Bearcats picked up a touchdown early in the second quarter as Hohensee scored on a two-yard rush to put Northwest up 7-2.

Southern answered back and got a 39-yard field goal from Williams to get the Lions within two (7-5) with 8:59 left to go in the 2nd. That proved to be the score at the break as the two teams flashed defense in the first half.

The Bearcats picked up a touchdown run from Jadon Brady early in the third and added another rushing score from Moya to go up 21-5 at the end of three.

Northwest added one more score on a one-yard rush with 3:39 left in the game.

Southern will be back in action next week as the Lions close out the regular season at home with Washburn for Senior Day. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is set for 2 pm.

Missouri Western slips by MSSU 31-27

(From MSSU Sports)

St. Joseph, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team got a pair of passing touchdowns from Luke Sampson and 125 yards and a touchdown from Dwayne Lawson on the ground, but the Lions fell just short, 31-27 at Missouri Western.

Southern (4-5, 4-5 MIAA) got a solid game from Sampson in his first collegiate start as he went 12-for-20 with 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"This is what we've prepped him (Luke) for," said head coach Atiba Bradley. "We have been giving him some looks and some series in games and he made the most of his experience."

Dwayne Lawson ran for 125 yards on seven carries, including a huge 80-yard touchdown run that is the longest rush of the season for the Lions.

Nathan Glades had 11 carries for 58 yards, while Ezekiel Lang caught three passes for 83 yards and a score and Chris Boudreaux added a touchdown reception, as well.

Defensively for the Lions, Southern had ten tackles and a pass break up from Richard Jordan Jr. Colton Winder and Coleman Booker had nine and eight tackles, respectively, while Booker added a forced fumble. Romel Readus and Jamie Tago had a sack each, while Shadon Shannon had a fumble recovery.

Western (4-5, 4-5 MIAA) got on top first as the Griffons got a one-yard run from Jared Scott to go up 7-0 with ten minutes to go in the first quarter.

Southern came right back with 13-unanswered as Sampson and Boudreaux hooked up to tie the game and Marlow put the Lions on top 13-7 after a 30-yard score with 1:46 left in the first.

The Griffons picked up a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 21-13 at the break.

The Lions had the ball to start the second half and after a nine-yard run from Marlow and a two-yard pass from Sampson to Nike Panella, Lawson went off tackle to the left and reeled off an 80-yard touchdown run, the longest play from scrimmage this season for the Lions.

Western went ahead after a 29-yard field goal from Cody Watson made the score 24-21 to end the third and the Griffons added another touchdown, this time a 23-yard score for Scott to go up 31-21 early in the fourth.

Southern took the ball with ten minutes left in the fourth after Booker knocked the ball loose and Shannon recovered at the Western 34-yard line. Sampson wasted no time as on the ensuing play, he hit Lang for a 34-yard score to get Southern within four.
That was as close as the Lions would get as Western ran the clock all the way down to secure the win.

Southern rushed for 236 yards and the Lions were plus one in takeaways.

MSSU will be back at it next week as the Lions travel to take on Northwest Missouri. Kickoff from Bearcat Stadium is set for 1:30 pm.

Special teams, defense highlight MSSU's 37-14 homecoming win over Lincoln

 (From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team got a punt return for a touchdown from Jaedon Stoshak and a pair of interceptions from Colton Winder as the Lions took out Lincoln 37-14 today inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium for Homecoming.

Southern (4-2, 4-2 MIAA) wins for the fourth time for the first time since the 2014 season. The Lions had rushing touchdowns from Nathan Glades who rushed for 96 yards, as well as Luke Sampson and Dawson Herl.

Stoshak caught a pair of passes for 33 yards, but it was in special teams where he shined. Stoshak had a pair of punt returns for 108 yards, including a long of 76 yards which he brought to the house on the Lions first possession. Jeremiah Hawkins had a pair of kick returns for 61 yards including a long of 35.

Nick Williams was perfect on field goals, including a pair from 28 yards out and one from 27 yards.

Defensively, Winder had a pair of interceptions for 13 yards, including one that he brought out of the endzone, stopping a Lincoln drive. Richard Jordan Jr. had eight tackles, while Coleman Booker had six stops and an interception.

Jermaine Young Jr. had two sacks, while Kalepo Fiaseu and Maurion Clemmons had a sack each. Solomon Garcia and Romel Readus combined for a sack.

The Southern defense held the Lincoln (0-6, 0-6 MIAA) to just 1-of-3 in the red zone, while the Lions' offense was a perfect 6-for-6.

Southern started off the scoring after the defense forced a punt and Stoshak returned it 76 yards to the endzone. After a three-and-out for Lincoln, the Lions responded with another big Stoshak return, this time for 32 yards to the Lincoln 18, setting up a 28-yard field goal from Williams.

A four-yard touchdown from Herl on the Lions' next possession made the score 17-0 after the PAT. Lincoln added a late touchdown to make the score 17-7, Lions after one.

Sampson added his touchdown on the Lions' ensuing possession, this one for 14 yards to make the score 24-7 with 12:46 left in the 2nd. Glades added a 15-yarder up the middle to give the Lions a 31-7 lead with just under eight to play.

A 28-yard field goal from Williams pushed the Southern lead to 34-7 on the Lions' first possession of the second half and would be the only score of the third quarter.

Williams hit his third field goal of the game, this time from 27 yards to give the Lions a 37-7 lead.

Lincoln added a late score for the final tally.

The punt return for a touchdown is the first for Southern since 2012 when NeRonte Threatt returned one 40 yards against Southwest Baptist. The pair of interceptions for Winder is the first since Dylan Bolden picked off two against Central Oklahoma last season.

The Lions will be back in action next week as Southern travels to Central Missouri on Saturday. Kickoff from Walton Stadium is set for 1:30 pm.

Brandi Arthur named Crowder College athletic director

(From Crowder College)

Brandi Arthur takes on the role of Athletic Director for Crowder College starting today, August 1, 2022.

Arthur is no stranger to Crowder College where she started her collegiate career as a student-athlete playing softball from 1998-2000 for the Roughriders.

Arthur continued her continued her college career before returning to Crowder in July 2004 to head the Roughrider Softball program. 

During her time at Crowder the team appeared in the National Tournament in 2007. In 2008, Arthur began teaching at McDonald County School District before coming to Neosho High School in 2009 and assumed the role as Activities Director in July 2019.

“I heard about the opportunity from a colleague and thought this would be a great chance to return to my roots,” state Arthur. “Managing 21 sports and activities with 923 students on respective rosters has been a tremendous responsibility. I am ready to make the move to a smaller work setting to allow myself time with family, but also to create a positive environment and bring out the best in student athletes and co-workers that made an impact on my life.”

Arthur will be responsible for all athletic programs at the college which include several new sports added this fall.

Crowder College participates in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I sports in: Men’s Baseball, Women’s Basketball, Softball and Men’s Soccer, with the new sports including: Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Golf, and Co-Ed eSports.

MSSU's Stevenson, VanWey sign deals with major league teams

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern sophomore Tommy Stevenson was drafted by the Oakland A's, while senior pitcher Logan VanWey signed a free-agent deal with the Houston Astros as the MLB concluded its draft yesterday.

"I'm very proud of both Tommy and Logan," said head coach Bryce Darnell. "They have meant a lot to our program over the last several years. I'm excited to see this next chapter of their lives in pro ball."








Stevenson, a 6-4 catcher was drafted in the 19th round of this year's MLB Draft by the Oakland A's. He is the first person since Max Hogan (2017) to be drafted from Missouri Southern and the 16th player in history to earn the honor. Stevenson is the fifth player in head coach Bryce Darnell's tenure to be drafted.

"It was an amazing feeling getting that call and hearing my name announced," Stevenson said. "It's a dream come true to me and it's everything I've worked for paying off but there's more work to be done."

This year, Stevenson was a second-team All-MIAA pick at catcher after hitting .385 with 16 home runs, 42 RBIs, 11 doubles, 60 hits and 44 runs scored. He slugged .801, while posting a 1.285 OPS and a .484 on-base percentage. Stevenson led the MIAA in on-base percentage, while ranking second in slugging. He was second in home runs per game, and sixth in both batting average and hits per game.

"Tommy has been one of our best players since he arrived here," Darnell said. He has been a joy to coach and has been a leader on our team. Not surprised that tommy is getting this chance. He'll do great things."

Stevenson's 16 home runs this past season is tied for second-most in a single-season at Southern. His 32 career homers rank fourth in a career at MSSU. Stevenson played this summer in the prestigious Northwoods League for the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders. In 17 games, Stevenson has six hits, 11 runs scored, a home run and ten RBIs.

VanWey signed a professional contract with the Houston Astros after the draft was concluded. This year, VanWey was a unanimous first-team All-MIAA selection after going 7-3 with a 3.47 ERA. He struck out 123 batters, while walking just 25 and limited hitters to a .199 batting average. VanWey had one complete game and two shutouts on the season.

"Logan made the transition this year to be a starter and became one of the most dominant starters in our league," Darnell said. "Prior to that he was one of the most dominant closers in the league. It's not a surprise that he's adjusted well to being a starter. He was definitely impressive in both of those rolls. It would have been easy for Logan to get frustrated because he had a few rocky starts this year, but he settled in and became one of the best starters in our league. Logan's a kid that I got to see grow up and play a lot in high school and it makes it special."

VanWey led the MIAA in fewest hits allowed per nine innings, strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings, while ranking second in the MIAA in ERA, wins and WHIP, and third in starts. VanWey was fifth in Division II in strikeouts and eighth in strikeouts per nine innings. VanWey finished the season with 123 strikeouts, which trails only Zach Parish who had 136 twice. His 222 career strikeouts rank fifth all-time, while his 13.49 strikeouts per nine innings career mark is tops, as is his 76 career appearances.

VanWey played this summer with the Glacier Range Riders of the Independent Frontier League in prep of this year's Major League Baseball Draft. The Range Riders are based out of Kalispell, Montana. VanWey had nine starts and was 2-2 with 46 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched. He currently ranks fourth in the league in strikeouts.

"It has been a long three years of hard work preparing for this moment and a roller coaster of emotions, but getting a call and being offered a professional contract made it all worth it," VanWey said. "I knew I was always good enough and had the work ethic, and it was just a matter of time before someone else saw it."

The Astros Single-A affiliate is the Fayetteville (NC) Woodpeckers, while the A's Single-A team is the Stockton (Calif.) Ports. Stevenson will report to the A's spring training facility in Arizona.

Sam McMahon named MSSU men's basketball coach

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Director of Athletics Rob Mallory has announced that Sam McMahon will be the next head coach of the Missouri Southern Men's Basketball Program.

McMahon will have an introductory press conference on Wednesday, April 6 at 3 pm in the North Endzone Facility on campus at MSSU.

"We set out in this search to find a high-character individual, a relationship-driven coach, and a person committed to building a winning culture that will get our men's basketball program back to the level of success we are accustomed to," Mallory said. 

"In a deep and highly competitive pool of candidates Sam McMahon rose to the top, and I could not be more excited to welcome him and his family back to Missouri Southern. Sam knows Missouri Southern, he has recruited at a high level in this region his entire career, and he understands what it takes to compete in the MIAA."

McMahon will be the seventh head coach in Missouri Southern history. He will be in his second stint roaming the sidelines at the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center as he served as an assistant and later associate head coach for the Lions for six seasons. McMahon has been an assistant coach at Division I Southeast Missouri for the past two seasons.

"I want to thank Dr. Van Galen and Rob Mallory for giving me the opportunity to lead one of the best Division II Men's Basketball programs in the country," said McMahon. "MSSU is a special place, and my family and I are proud to be a part of the community again. I'm ready to get to work with these players and together we will relentlessly pursue excellence."

While at Southern, the Lions averaged 20 wins per season and accumulated a 124-60 record with McMahon on its coaching staff all while making three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the only three-year stretch in school history. MSSU earned at least a top-four finish in the MIAA regular season every year McMahon was there and advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen in 2019.

McMahon started his coaching career at Central Methodist University as a member of Jeff Sherman's staff. During his two years at CMU, the men's basketball team went a combined 52-16 and earned a pair of NAIA National Tournament appearances (only time in school history to make the NAIA National Tournament in two straight years). The 2009-10 team recorded a 24-9 season, claimed a Heart of America Conference regular-season title, led the nation in three-point accuracy (.423), earned the school's first-ever win over an NCAA Division I opponent and finished with a No. 13 national ranking while giving up just 60.7 points per game.

After that, McMahon continued his coaching career at Missouri State. He spent four seasons with the Bears working alongside current Southeast Missouri head coach Brad Korn, as well as current Purdue assistant coach Paul Lusk. McMahon helped the Bears post a 75-60 overall record in that span, with teams winning 20 or more games in two seasons. The 2010-11 MSU squad posted a 28-9 record and won the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title for the first time in school history.

A standout prep player at Jefferson City (Mo.) High School, McMahon spent a year at Bridgton (Maine) Academy and then played four years of Division I basketball at the University of Delaware (2004-08).

During his time at Delaware, McMahon earned four letters, was team captain his senior season (2007-08) and earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic second team honors twice. He earned a spot on the CAA Commissioner's Honor Roll and averaged 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists his junior season. He ranked second in the CAA in free-throw percentage (.840) his senior campaign and was third in three-point shooting (.444). He scored 20 or more points five times during his collegiate career, reeled off a streak of 16 straight double-figure scoring games, and earned his team's Most-Improved Award his junior season.

On his way to earning a degree in sports management from Delaware in 2008, McMahon was also on the Dean's List. After his tenure with the Blue Hens, he spent three months interning at Wilmington University in New Castle, Delaware, where he was the team's video coordinator. McMahon boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA while earning his Master's in Education at Central Methodist (2010).

McMahon and the former Holly Wade were married on September 8, 2012. The couple have three children, Maverick, Eva and Nova.

What They're Saying About Sam McMahon -

"When we came to SEMO we not only needed great coaches but great men and great families. Sam checks all the boxes as it relates to coaching, connecting and leading young men. Sam was instrumental in helping us lay the foundation of what SEMO basketball is now and into the future. We are so excited for Holly, Maverick, Eva and Nova to return "home" and live out a dream that they are ready for. We look forward to seeing the success they will have and we will be cheering for the Lions!"

Brad Korn, Head Coach, Southeast Missouri State University

"Sam McMahon is a terrific hire for Missouri Southern. He understands the institution as well as the league. He's a perfect fit. He has great experience on various levels of college basketball and will do a tremendous job leading the program."

Paul Lusk, Assistant Coach, Purdue University