Warrensburg, Mo. - Nineteenth ranked Central
Missouri scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and rebounded from
an early 10-0 deficit to defeat the Lions 27-17 today in
Warrensburg.
Last week, it was the Lions (3-6, 3-5 MIAA) scoring points in
the fourth quarter to overcome a deficit, but the tables were
turned today as the Mules (8-2, 6-2 MIAA) scored 20 points in the
fourth to defeat the Lions and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Southern scored first as the Lions took advantage of a fumble
from the Mules' DeMarco Cosby that was recovered by Jabarri Wesley
and returned 11 yards to the Central Missouri 45-yard line. Roland
Thompson completed two passes for for 16 yards and ran for another
13, before Andrew Gassen booted a 29-yard field goal to put
Southern up on top, 3-0.
Central turned the ball over on its first two possessions as on
the first drive of the game, Nick Teer sacked quarterback Eric
Czerniewski and forced a fumble that Domenique Butler recovered.
The Lions took a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter after
Johnny Johnson capped off a 12-play drive that took up 61 yards and
3:38 off the clock when Johnson found the end zone on a four-yard
run. Thompson completed passes of 24, 10 and 14 on the drive.
The Mules answered back quickly and after the Lions had a three
and out, Central took just two plays to score when Czerniewski
found Bobby Guillory for a 47-yard catch to cut the Lions' lead to
10-7 heading into halftime.
Neither team scored in the third, but Central scored just two
minutes into the fourth on a one-yard run from Czerniewski.
Guillory made the score 20-10 when he scampered to the end zone on
a 33-yard touchdown. Each team added a late score for the final
tally.
The Lions were out-gained 480-337 today, but were close in most
every other category with the Mules. Central held a 20-19 advantage
on first downs, and time of possession was nearly identical. Both
teams had three turnovers with the Lions throwing three
interceptions, but picking up three of the five Central Missouri
fumbles. The big stat where Central had an advantage was on punt
and kickoff returns. The Mules averaged 21.3 yards per punt return
as opposed to the Lions 5.5 and 11.7 yards on kickoffs to the
Lions' 4.4.
Thompson was the Lions leading rusher with 44 yards and a
touchdown score. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry. He also went
21-47 for 239 yards. Landon Zerkel had 94 yards on seven catches,
while Johnson and Toderick Hunt each rushed for 12 and 14 carries,
respectively.
Defensively, Dusty Bratzler led the Lions with eight tackles and
a pass breakup. Jairius Jarvis had a sack to bring his season total
to 9.5, just a half sack from tying the single-season record at
Southern. Teer also had a sack, while Antwoine Brown, Wesley, and
Butler picked up fumble recoveries.
The Lions will wrap up the 2009 campaign next week as Southern
plays host to Fort Hays State at 2 pm in Hughes Stadium. The Lions
will honor their ten graduating seniors on Senior Day.
