MSSU football falls to Central Missouri 42-21

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

The Missouri Southern football team was back at home Saturday, hosting the #11 nationally ranked Central Missouri Mules for the Hall of Fame Game. 

Earlier in the morning, Missouri Southern inducted six individuals into their Hall of Fame. More information regarding the inductees can be found here. With conditions cold and rainy, the Mules outlasted the Lions 42-21, dropping MSSU to 4-5 (3-5 MIAA) on the season.

The Mules received the ball first after the Lions won the toss and deferred to the second half. Marching their way down the field, it looked like UCM would score on their opening drive, but Ian McSwain read the quarterback's eyes and came down with the interception to keep the score at 0-0. Bouncing back from the interception, the Mules found the endzone three times for a 21-0 lead after the first quarter.

After the Mules scored again early in the second quarter and got the ball back, Holt Chappell made his presence known with a strip-sack on the UCM quarterback. Nick Kruse recovered the fumble, giving MSSU possession. The Mules got the ball back after an unsuccessful Lion drive, facing a 4th and 7 from the MSSU 10-yard line. Going for it on fourth, UCM turned it over on downs as Ife Current broke up the pass in the end zone. The score read 28-0 at halftime.

Following a quick drive by Missouri Southern, Central Missouri drove the field and scored again. David Bethune took the ensuing kickoff to the 50-yard line, and an extra 15 yards were tacked onto the end of the run due to a penalty. A few plays later, the Lions found the end zone on a 23-yard reception by Deontay Campbell from Luke Sampson. The Mules turned it over on downs again on their next drive, after Peyton McKee stopped the receiver short of the first down marker.

Early in the fourth, UCM's quarterback threw his second interception of the day, the most he's thrown in a game this year. Ife Current was responsible for the pick, making the catch in the end zone. That turnover began a solid drive that ended with a 4-yard punch into the endzone by Anthodius Ashley. Following a UCM score, MSSU drove the field and scored on a 4th and goal attempt, as Sampson hit Trace Willhite for the score. The game ended 42-21 in favor of the #11 Mules.

Despite giving up 42 points, the defense held the nation's top quarterback to his lowest passing performance of the season, forcing his season-high two interceptions. Peyton McKee led the team with 8 total tackles, 7 of those being solo. Ife Current and Ian McSwain were responsible for MSSU's interceptions.

Luke Sampson had 2 touchdowns in the loss, completing 9 passes for 94 yards. Deontay Campbell was the leading receiver with 2 catches for 34 yards and a score. The ground attack was led by Ja'Veon Marlow, picking up 80 yards on 12 attempts.

The team will play in their final road contest of the season next Saturday, taking on the Hornets of Emporia State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 4.

Missouri Southern football evens record with 63-5 drubbing of Lincoln

(From Missouri Southern Sports)

Jefferson City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team played on the road for the first time in a few weeks, taking on the Blue Tigers of Lincoln in a non-conference matchup. 

It was an explosive day for the Lions, defeating the Blue Tigers 63-5 to improve to 4-4 (3-4 MIAA) on the year. Their 63 points scored were the most since 2019, racking up 455 yards of offense, with 6 recovered turnovers.

Lincoln won the toss and elected to receive, but Ian McSwain picked off the Blue Tiger quarterback on their third offensive play. On the very next play, Luke Sampson found Deontay Campbell for a 28-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with less than 50 seconds taken off the clock. A few minutes later, Sampson connected with Jaedon Stoshak for a 57-yard touchdown to push their lead to two scores.

The Lion offense pulled a trick play out of their book for their next score, as Sampson threw to Jaedon Stoshak behind the line of scrimmage, who then found a wide open Nick Panella for a 52-yard touchdown. Trying some trickery of their own, the Blue Tigers attempted a reverse on the ensuing kickoff, but it was fumbled and recovered by the Lions. A few plays later, Luke Sampson plunged forward for the QB sneak touchdown.

With 9:43 on the clock in the second quarter, Ty Smith gave MSSU possession back with an interception. The drive was capped off with a 26-yard touchdown run by Nathan Glades. After a Lincoln field goal, David Bethune took the next kickoff 61 yards, with an additional 15 thanks to an LU penalty. Luke Sampson connected with Alex Martini on the next play for a 17-yard touchdown, giving Southern a 42-3 lead heading into the break.

The defenses were strong in the third quarter, keeping both teams off the scoreboard in the period. MSSU's highlight of the quarter was a blocked field goal by Dylan Wright. Scoring resumed on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Anthodius Ashley ran up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown.

Southern's defense went back to work, as they took interceptions to the house on back-to-back Blue Tiger drives. The first was taken back by Shadon Shannon for about 46 yards, and the second was returned by Mason Rumsey for about 51 yards. Lincoln had a shot at the end zone with just a few seconds left in the game, but Payden Allen stopped the Blue Tigers on fourth down for a turnover on downs. They did manage to record a safety on the final play of the game, ending with a 63-5 final score.

Kicker Drake Reese tied the single game record for most extra points made, a record set back in 1972. He was 9/9 on the day. Leading the Lion ground attack was Nathan Glades, recording 111 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries. Luke Sampson only completed 6 passes on the day, but 3 of those went for touchdowns and 162 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown in the win. No receiver had more than two receptions, but Jaedon Stoshak (68) and Nick Panella (61) each eclipsed 60 yards receiving.

Three Lions recorded 7 tackles for the team-high on the afternoon, and Brian Lively recorded the team's lone sack. Along with their four interceptions, the defense had five pass break ups and three quarterback hurries.

The team will return home for their next competition, hosting the Central Missouri Mules for the Hall of Fame game. Currently ranked #17 in the nation, the Mules have had one of the most explosive offenses in the nation. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

Late rally falls short as MSSU football loses to Pitt State 31-21

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

For the second straight week, the Lions played on their home turf at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Visiting Joplin Saturday afternoon was longtime rival Pittsburg State, currently ranked #3 in the nation. 

The Gorillas would hold on for the win 31-21, despite the late push by the Lions. Missouri Southern has now played two top-five nationally ranked teams, first in #5 Northwest Missouri and today's contest with #3 Pittsburg State.

Cashing in on the opening drive, the Gorillas drove 83 yards for a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. The visitors would score again in the first quarter, making the score 14-0 after one.

The defenses were busy on both sides in the second quarter, keeping the same score until the final minute where Missouri Southern scored a touchdown. With 13 seconds left on the clock, Deontay Campbell made a beautiful one-handed catch from Luke Sampson for an 8-yard touchdown. PSU would take a 14-7 lead into the locker room at half.

On their first drive of the third quarter, the Gorillas marched down to the MSSU 9-yard line, but came up empty after a missed field goal attempt. Pittsburg State scored once more before the end of the third, making it 21-7 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter opened with another PSU score, but MSSU started to make a push midway through. With the ball on their own 35-yard line, Pittsburg State's quarterback fumbled the snap and Dylan Wright recovered it, taking it all the way back for a defensive touchdown, 28-14. Following an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, the Gorillas drove down and settled for a field goal. The Lions responded to cut the deficit to 10, Luke Sampson finding Deontay Campbell for the second time on the day, 31-21. Another onside kick attempt was made by MSSU, this one appearing to go in favor of the Lions, but after a PSU challenge it was ruled that the ball was touched before 10 yards, giving the Gorillas possession and ending the game 31-21.

Luke Sampson finished the day 16-32 for 244 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Akeem Gilmore was the leading receiver with 89 yards on 4 receptions. Also with 4 receptions was Deontay Campbell, cashing in on 2 of those for touchdowns, going for 56 yards. Nathan Glades led the ground attack, rushing for 53 yards on 11 attempts.

The defense was led by the Colton's, as Colton Winder finished with 17 total tackles, a pass break up, and a quarterback hit, and Colton Bass had 11 tackles, 0.5 for loss. Winder's 17 total tackles was the most in the MIAA this week. Maurion Clemons had the team's only sack, and Dylan Wright was responsible for the scoop and score touchdown, a 30-yard return.

For their next competition, the Lions will hit the road for a non-conference matchup with the Lincoln Blue Tigers in Jefferson City, Missouri. Kickoff for that contest is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

MSSU football loses to Fort Hays State 35-22

(From Missouri Southern Athletics)

The Missouri Southern football team took on the Tigers of Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon, returning home after playing on the road last week. Coming off a high-scoring game last week, the Tiger offense continued to click, defeating the Lions 35-22. With the loss, MSSU drops to 3-3 (3-3 MIAA) on the year.

The Lions had the first possession and took a 3-0 lead thanks to a 41-yard field goal from Drake Bradley. With a lengthy drive of their own, the Tigers scored a touchdown to go ahead 7-3.

Following a punt by MSSU, FHSU drove the field to the Southern 9-yard line where Zach Bergmann came down with an interception on a pass batted in the air. Southern was facing a 3rd and 3 early in their next possession, when Luke Sampson found Nick Panella for 21 yards to keep the drive alive. A play later, Sampson had another 21-yard pass to Akeem Gilmore. In similar fashion, Ezekiel Lang caught a 20-yard pass from Sampson for a touchdown, 9-7 Lions. The Tigers had another long drive, scoring right before half to regain the lead, 14-9.

Picking up from where they left off, Fort Hays took a 21-9 lead following a 7 play, 66-yard drive. Southern was forced to punt on their next drive, but the ball bounced off a Tiger and was recovered by the Lions, setting them up on the FHSU 29-yard line. After getting FHSU to jump offsides on 4th and 1, Nathan Glades took it to the end zone for a 15-yard rushing touchdown. The Tigers responded with another touchdown drive, making the score 28-15 at the end of the third quarter.

Missouri Southern faced a pair of fourth down situations on their next possession, converting both through the air. Luke Sampson connected with Nick Panella for 11 yards, then found Jaedon Stoshak for a 15-yard touchdown, 28-22. Fort Hays would score once more to make the final score 35-22 in favor of the Tigers.

Luke Sampson completed 20-34 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. Seven different receivers were in the mix, with Deontay Campbell leading the charge at 6 receptions for 52 yards. Nathan Glades led the ground game, picking up 60 yards on 11 attempts and a touchdown. Anthodius Ashley also had 4 rushes for 41 yards. Zach Bergmann had a solid game defensively, collecting 12 tackles, 6 solo, 0.5 for loss, 1 interception, and 1 pass break up.

Next on the schedule for the Lions is another home contest, this one featuring the current #3 team in the nation, Pittsburg State. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 14.