Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team look to make it two in a row as the Lions play host to the Ichabods of Washburn University this Saturday for Homecoming. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is slated for 3 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 1-4, 1-4 MIAA | WU 3-2, 3-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 8, 2016
Kick-Off: 3 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium | Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex
Series Record: Washburn leads the series 22-21-1
Coaches:
Denver Johnson (2-14 at MSSU, 71-80 overall) | Craig Shurrig (99-66 overall/at WU)
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: The Ichabods lead the series between the two teams at 22-21-1. The Lions hold an 11-9-1 mark at Hughes Stadium and a 10-13 mark in Topeka. Southern last defeated the Ichabods in 2014 when the Lions won 42-21 at home. Washburn had won eight in a row before the Lions' win last season. From 1989 to 1997, the Lions won nine games in a row in a stretch that included ten of 11, as well.
The Dish On The Bods: The Ichabods are 3-2 on this season with wins coming against Northeastern State, Lindenwood and a thrilling triple overtime win at Nebraska-Kearney. The Washburn offense is led by quarterback Derek McGinnis. He is 61-133 passing with 1,076 yards and ten touchdowns. Mickeel Stewart is the leading rusher with 267 yards and five touchdowns, while Jake Horner has caught 12 passes for 348 yards and three scores. Carey Woods has six catches for 131 yards and three tocuhdowns, while Bryce Chavis has 150 yards and two scores. Defensively, Washburn is led by a trip of Cody Heiman, Akhmad Abdul-Rassaq and Spenser Matthews. Heiman leads the team with 41 tackles and has 1.5 sacks and one interception, while Abdul-Rassaq has 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Matthews leads the team with 6.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 2.5 sacks. The Ichabods rank fifth nationally in yards per catch, as well as eighth in red zone offense. However, Washburn ranks 167th in red zone defense. Washburn will be back in action next weekend when the Bods play host to Fort Hays State.
A Victory vs. Washburn Would: be get the series between the two teams even again at 22. It would also be the first time the Lions have won back-to-back games since the 2014 season when the Lions did it twice (Neb.-Kearney/Washburn and Northeastern State/Lindenwood).
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 18th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has 7 teams in the top 25. There are 13 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.
Family Faceoff: Bill Bleil (offensive line) got a win against his son Kevin this week. Kevin is the co-offensive coordinator at Nebraska-Kearney.
Team Stats Rankings: The Lions, as a team lead Division II in fewest blocked punts allowed, while ranking 19th in blocked punts, 32nd in both fewest penalties per game and fewest penalties overall.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Josiah Bennett ranks fourth nationally (third in the MIAA) in yards per reception. Justin Legier is 27th nationally in solo tackles, while Legier, Brandon Martin, Travelle Smith and Chris Williams rank 46th nationally in fumbles recovered.
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 past week 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 sunny conditions and a high of 71 degrees with a zero percent chance of precipitation.
Up Next: The Lions will keep it at home as Southern plays host to Central Missouri on Oct. 15. Kickoff is slated for 6 pm.
