The Missouri Southern football team will travel to Emporia, Kan. this weekend as the Lions will take on Emporia State for the final road game of the year. Kickoff from Welch Stadium is slated for 2 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 1-8, 1-8 MIAA | ESU 5-4, 5-4 MIAA
Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
Kick-Off: 2:00 pm, CT
Location: Emporia, Kan.
Site: Welch Stadium (7,000)
Series Record: MSSU leads 22-21
Coaches: Joe Bettasso (1-5 at MSSU, 11-6 overall) | Garrin Higgins (75-61 at ESU, 121-66 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.esuhornets.com.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: Missouri Southern leads the all-time series with an overall record of 22-21, including an 13-8 mark at home and 9-13 record in Emporia. Emporia has won the last six games in a row, but the Lions had won the previous four meetings. Southern dominated the series early when both teams were in the NAIA, winning 12 of the first 15 matchups. In the last ten meetings between the two schools, the average margin of victory for either team has been 13.3 points. However, five out of the ten games have been decided by a touchdown or less.
The Dish On The Hornets: The Hornets are 5-4 this season, but have won three of their last four games. The team averages 152 yards on the groudn and 241 through the air for 393 yards of total offense per game. Quarterback Braxton Marstall leads the offensive attack for the Hornets and has thrown for over 2,000 yards this season. He is 223-372 for 2,112 yards, 17 touchdowns and has also rushed for 316 yards and eight touchdowns. Landon Nault has the bulk of the carries with 162 carries for 739 yards and six scores. Kai Collins has 212 yards on the ground and a touchdown. Through the air, Justin Brown is Marstall's favorite target with 56 receptions for 577 yards and four touchdowns. Tyler Harris has 49 catches for 610 yards and nine scores, while Nault has caught one touchdown pass, as well. Defensively, the Hornets are led by Jace McDown. McDown has 97 tackles with ten tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks with five forced fumbles. Garry Goods has 63 stops with a sack and three forced fumbles, while Logan Thompson has 61 tackles, seven tackles for a loss and one interception. The Hornets will finish off the regular season next week as they will travel to Central Oklahoma for a 2 pm kickoff from Wantland Stadium.
A Victory vs. ESU Would: keep the series between the two schools from being tied up. It would be the first in seven tries against the Hornets.
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 one team in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 10th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has four teams in the top ten and has seven 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 punts allowed, while ranking seventh in fumbles recovered, 20th in fewest penalty yards per game, 25th in fewest penalty yards, and 49th in both fewest penalties per game and blocked kicks allowed.
MIAA Team Stats Rankings: This year, the Lions lead the MIAA in blocked punts allowed, fumbles recovered, fewest penalty yards and fewest penalty yards per game. The team ranks third in turnovers forced, while ranking fourth in fourth down defense, fewest penalties, fewest penalties per game and fumbles lost.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Mark Mudd ranks 17th in fumbles recovered, while Riley Hathorn ranks 32nd in punting.
MIAA Individual Stats Rankings: Mudd ranks third in fumbles recovered, while Korenzo Credit ranks 3rd in interceptions. Cole Dunbar ranks third in kick returns, while Dalton James ranks fourth in both rushing yards and rushing yards per game. Hathorn ranks sixth 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.
Defensive Stand: Twice in the final three minutes against Northeastern State, the Lions' defense held strong and forced a turnover on downs. The first time, NSU had driven inside the Southern 2-yard line and the second was with 30 seconds left and allowed the Lions to go into victory formation.
Spread The Wealth: A total of 15 different Lions have caught a pass this year for Missouri Southern. Tight end Eric Dedrick, Jr. leads the way with 19 catches for 184 yards.
Recovery In Motion: Southern ranks seventh nationally in fumble recoveries as a total of nine different Lions have one fumble recovery each, with Mudd picking up two.
Run, Sean, Run: Sean Kelly had his longest run from scrimmage in his career as the quarterback nearly broke off a score with a 58-yard run against NSU.
Rushin' 100: For the third time this year, Dalton James has rushed for over 100 yards in a game with his 109 yard performance against UCO.
Stop Em' Glanville: Alan Glanville had his third ten-plus tackle game of the season against UCO. The ten tackle performance against the Bronchos is the third time in the last five games for Glanville with ten-plus stops and he ranks second on the team with 55 tackles this season.
Hall of Fame: On October 20, former Missouri Southern All-American Colin Bado was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame. Bado led all of Division II with 88 receptions in 2006 and finished his career with a school-record 250 receptions, 54 in front of the next highest mark.
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.
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.
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 Emporia area on Saturday calls for a high of 56 and afternoon rain. Precipitation chance is listed at 90% with a South, Southeast wind of 15 mph.
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