Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team will play host to Northeastern State this Saturday. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium, inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 2 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 1-7, 1-7 MIAA | NSU 2-6, 2-6 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2016
Kick-Off: 2 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium (7,000)
Series Record: NSU leads the series 11-8
Coaches:
Denver Johnson (2-17 at MSSU, 71-83 overall) | Rob Robinson (5-25 overall/at NSU)
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: This will be the 21st meeting in the series between the two schools. Northeastern State leads the series 11-8, but the Lions have won eight of the last 13 games between the two teams. Northeastern State was the Lions' first-ever opponent as a four-year school as NSU downed Southern 45-0 in 1968. The Riverhawks dominated the series early on, winning the first seven games in a row, but it has been mostly Southern over the last nine outings. The Lions are 4-6 in Tahlequah, while holding an 4-5 mark in Joplin with one game being vacated by the Lions in 1997.
The Dish On The RiverHawks: The RiverHawks are 2-6 on the season after getting win number two this past weekend at home against Nebraska-Kearney. NSU is led offensively by quarterback Dimonic McKinzy. He is 127-265 on the season for just shy of 2,000 yards. He has 19 touchdowns passing and one rushing with 125 yards on the ground. The RiverHawks rushing attack is led by a trio of CJ Shavers, Ra'Keim Abdul and McKinzy. Shavers has 277 yards and two scores, while Abdul has 201 yards and a score. Gary McKnight and Matthew Butler both have 27 receptions with McKnight pulling down 599 yards and Butler reeling in 336. The duo has seven and three touchdowns, respectively, while Rashawn Eubanks has caught 16 passes for 330 yards and five scores. Defensively, Steffon Herd leads the way with 71 tackles, including 52 solo and 2.5 tackles for a loss with an interception and seven pass break ups. Devon Siers has 43 tackles, 35 solo and three interceptions with one fumble recovery, while T'Nheous Smith has 13 tackles, but 6.5 have been for a loss and he leads the team with 2.5 sacks. NSU has thrown for 2,176 yards as a team and rushed for 793 on the season. The RiverHawks will be back in action next week when they host Central Missouri at 2 pm.
A Victory vs. Northeastern State Would: be the sixth in the last eight meetings between the two teams. It would be the Lions ninth in the last 14 tries.
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 10th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has six 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's streaming contract with Stretch Internet. Fans can view games live by clicking on the link on www.mssulions.com.
Have A Game Son: Brayden Scott became the first Lions' quarterback since 2011 to throw four touchdown passes in a game when he threw for four and ran for another against Central Oklahoma.
Team Stats Rankings: The Lions, as a team, lead Division II in blocked punts allowed, while ranking 37th in blocked punts, 39th in punt return defense, 43rd in fumbles lost (fewest), 46th in fewest penalty yards per game, 47th in fewest penalties per game and 49th in both fewest penalties and fewest penalty yards.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Josiah Bennett ranks fifth nationally (fourth in the MIAA) in yards per reception. Chris Williams ranks 13th in fumble recoveries, while Scott Lathrop ranks 27th in receptions per game. Justin Legier ranks 43rd in solo tackles.
Magnetic Personality: Senior wide receiver Scott Lathrop became just the fifth Lion to catch at least 12 passes in a game. Lathrop was one catch off of Rod Smith's school record and joins Colin Bado, Landon Zerkel and Dave Evans as others to catch 12 in a game. Bado did it three times.
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.
NCAA D-II Super Region 3 Rankings: The NCAA released its first regional rankings this week and the MIAA has three teams in the poll. Northwest Missouri is first, while Emporia State is fourth and Central Missouri is eighth. Seven teams make the NCAA post season with the top seed getting a bye.
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.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for sunny conditions and a high of 80 degrees with a zero percent chance of precipitation.
Up Next: The Lions will head to Lindenwood next Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 pm.
