Maryville, Mo.. - In a game that was dominated
by sixth ranked Northwest Missouri State, the Missouri Southern
Lions fell 52-6 to the Bearcats today in a frigid Maryville where
game time temperatures hovered around freezing.
Southern (1-5, 1-4 MIAA) gained 207 yards total on the afternoon
with 128 coming on the ground. The Lions were led offensively by
Johnny Johnson as the senior had 61 yards on the ground and a
touchdown score. Toderick Hunt had 43 yards on the ground, while
four different Lions had 12 or more yards through the air.
The Lions' defense was led by 13 tackles (nine solo) from Antwoine
Brown. Justin Cowper and Dusty Bratzler had nine each, while
Jairius Jarvis had five tackles and 1.5 sacks. Bratzler added a
sack of his own, while Nick Teer got in on a sack with Jarvis.
Northwest (6-1, 5-1 MIAA) took the opening snap and drove the
length of the field, but the Lions' defense stopped the
high-powered Bearcat offense inside the ten and Northwest settled
for a 24-yard field goal from Todd Adolf.
After a Lions turnover on downs, Northwest again drove the field
and scored, this time a 27-yard pass from Blake Bolles to Jake Soy.
A Lions interception led to another score from Bolles to Soy as the
duo hooked up on three scores in the first half before Blake
Christopher and Soy added another one as the half expired.
Northwest scored on six of its seven drives in the first half to
take a 38-0 lead into the break.
After the first two drives of the second half stalled for
Northwest, the Bearcats picked up a score as Christopher hit Kyle
Killgore for a 31-yard pass to make the score 45-0 Northwest.
The Lions then got the ball at their own 34 and drove the length of
the field as Johnson capped off an eight-play, 66-yard scoring
drive that lasted 2:07 with a three-yard touchdown run, Southern's
only score of the day.
Northwest tacked on one more late touchdown as Kelvin Austin rushed
for a 15-yard score to make the final tally 52-6.
Northwest had 574 total yards today with 453 through the air.
Bolles went 17-22 for 278 yards and four touchdowns, while
Christopher was 14-20 for 175 and two scores.
The Lions will be back in action next weekend as Southern plays
host to Truman State University at 2 pm in Hughes Stadium.
