Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team will be back at home this weekend as the Lions will take on Central Missouri on Saturday. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is slated for 6 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 1-5, 1-5 MIAA | UCM 4-2, 4-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 15, 2016
Kick-Off: 6 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium | Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex (7,000)
Series Record: Central Missouri leads the series 20-15-2
Coaches:
Denver Johnson (2-15 at MSSU, 71-81 overall) | Jim Svoboda (103-43 overall/51-24 at UCM)
Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: ESPN Joplin 101.3, 103.5 FM and AM 1560; 88.7 FM KXMS - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Scott Boudreaux, Color
Video Webcast: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/mssu/
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/mssu/football
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: Central Missouri holds the all-time series lead against the Lions at 20-15-2. The Lions have an 8-8-1 record at Hughes Stadium against the Mules, while the Lions are just 7-12-1 in Warrensburg. Central has won 15 out of the last 19 meetings. Southern defeated the Mules in 2006 and last season, both games at home. From 1983-1996, the Lions were 7-2 against the Mules.
The Dish On The Mules: The Mules are receiving votes in the coaches poll this week and are ranked 15th in the D2football.com poll. Central started the season with wins at Pittsburg State and Missouri Western, while taking out Fort Hays State at home. The team, however, has losses against Emporia and Northwest Missouri. Central is led by quarterback Garrett Fugate. He has thrown for 1,820 yards on 129-211 this season, notching 14 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Gabe Vandiver leads a rushing attack that averages 139 yards per game. He has 48 carries on 250 yards and three scores, while Xavier Washpun has 243 yards and two scores. Receiving wise, the Mules average 304 yards in the air per game, led by Jaylen Zachery. He has caught 29 passes for 410 yards and six scores. Kyle Echols has caught 20 passes for 281 yards and a score, while Tyler Jones has 353 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Mules are led by Monteze Latimore and Jackson Newman. Both have 41 tackles with Latimore picking up an interception and 5 breakups, while Newman has two interceptions. Josh Powell leads the team with three sacks on the season. Central will be back in action next week when the Mules host Washburn at 1:30 pm.
A Victory vs. Central Missouri Would: be just the fifth in the last 20 meetings with the Mules. It would bring the season series to 20-16-2 in favor of the Mules.
NFL Representation: The Lions will have two different starters on NFL rosters to start the season. Brandon Williams is a starter on the defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, while Allen Barbre will start on the offensive line for the Philadelphia Eagles.
NFL Leaders: Brandon Williams has become a leader on the defense for the Baltimore Ravens, shoring their defensive line. Last year, the third-year pro had a career-high 52 tackles and two sacks. He was listed by many as a notable snub for the NFL Pro Bowl in 2015. Allen Barbre will be in his second year as a starter on the offensive line for the Eagles and head coach Doug Pedersen is very high on Barbre, naming him the starter prior to training camp. Barbre started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2015.
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 ESPN Joplin this year as Southern can now be heard on three separate FM stations, as well as an AM station. ESPN Joplin will air the Lions' games on 101.3 and 103.5 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 two teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 1st, while Emporia State is 12th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has seven teams in the top 25. There are 11 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's streaming contract with Stretch Internet. Fans can view games live by clicking on the link on www.mssulions.com.
New Coaches: Bill Bleil (offensive line) and Darius Hart (defensive line) will join the Lions this year on coach Denver Johnson's staff. Bleil comes to Southern from the University of Rhode Island, while Hart previously coached at Trinity Valley Community College.
Team Stats Rankings: The Lions, as a team lead Division II in fewest blocked punts allowed, while ranking 18th in blocked kicks, 28th in blocked punts, 41st in punt return defense, 45th in kickoff return defense and 48th in fumbles recovered.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Josiah Bennett ranks fourth nationally (third in the MIAA) in yards per reception. Justin Legier is 34th nationally in solo tackles, while Scott Lathrop ranks 28th in punt returns.
Big Game Josiah: Freshman Josiah Bennett had a game to remember at Nebraska-Kearney. He had five catches for 159 yards and a touchdown. He had receptions of 56 and 52 yards to go with a 72-yard reception against Northwest Missouri. He has 231 of his 302 receiving yards this year in the last two games.
Safety First: The Lions forced a safety against Missouri Western after blocking a punt out of the end zone. It was the first time since 2012 the Lions have had a safety.
Call Me A Hall Of Famer: Allen Barbre was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame on September 24. Barbre was a multiple All-American offensive lineman in his four-year career for the Lions and is now a starter with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Expanded Roster: Last season, the Lions carried between 80-90 players on their roster and that provided depth issues for the team. This year, Southern has between 130-140 players, much more to the liking of head coach Denver Johnson.
Record Setter: TJ Fleeton tied his own school record this year as he completed 36 passes against Fort Hays. He tied the record he had previously set last season, ironically against FHSU.
Welcome Back: Southern has welcomed back a pair of former starters to the lineup after both had sat out last year with an injury. Lars Lindquist and Scott Lathrop are both back, but both are playing different positions. Lindquist has moved to the offensive line after serving as a starter on the other side, while Lathrop will move from quarterback to receiver.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for partly cloudy and windy conditions and a high of 82 degrees with a 10 percent chance of precipitation.
Up Next: The Lions will head out on the road, traveling to Edmond, Okla. to take on Central Oklahoma on Oct. 22. Kickoff is slated for 2 pm.
