Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team will head back out on the road this weekend as the Lions travel east to take on the Lions of Lindenwood University. Kickoff from Harlen Hunter Stadium is slated for 1:45 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 2-7, 1-7 MIAA | LWU 2-7, 2-7 MIAA
Date: Saturday, November 5, 2016
Kick-Off: 1:30 pm, CT
Location: Saint Charles, Mo.
Site: Hunter Stadium (450)
Series Record: LWU leads the series 2-1
Coaches:
Denver Johnson (3-17 at MSSU, 72-83 overall) | Patrick Ross (107-63 overall/92-56 at LWU)
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/lindenwood/football
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: This is the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools. Lindenwood took the first match-up in 2012, 45-30, while Missouri Southern won 31-17 in 2014. Both games were played in St. Charles. 2015's game was the first game played in Joplin. The two teams were slated to play in 2013 for MSSU's Homecoming game, but the event was cancelled after the tragic shooting death of MSSU Offensive Line Coach, Derek Moore.
The Dish On Lindenwood: Lindenwood is 2-7 on the season, having won its opener against Central Oklahoma and last week's game against Nebraska-Kearney. The Lions are led offensively by quarterback Allen Thigpen. Thigpen has started the last six games for the Lions and has thrown for 837 yards and six touchdowns, while running for 337 yards and five scores on the ground. Rushing wise, the Lions are led by Calen Campbell with 97 carries for 474 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Daniels has 282 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Kendell Sparks is Thigpen's favorite target with 58 receptions and 395 yards for four touchdowns. Deantrel Prince has seven touchdowns and 513 yards, while DeSean Warren is averaging 24.2 yards per catch with three touchdowns and 628 total receiving yards. Defensively, Connor Harris is third nationally in tackles with 113, including 6.5 for a loss and one interception. Bakari Triggs leads the team with five interceptions, while Jonathan Harris has a team-leading six sacks. The Lions average 351.7 yards per game, while giving up 483.2 per contest. Lindenwood will be back in action next week when they close out the season at Central Missouri.
A Victory vs. Lindenwood Would: be the second in the series for Southern over Lindenwood. It would tie the all-time series at two wins each.
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 three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 1st, while Emporia State is 9th and Central Missouri is 25th. 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.
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 30th in fewest fumbles lost, 41st in blocked punts, 42nd in both sacks allowed (fewest) and fumbles recovered, while ranking 47th in fewest penalty yards per game.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Josiah Bennett ranks fourth nationally (third in the MIAA) in yards per reception. Chris Williams ranks 20th in fumble recoveries, while Keith Beverly ranks 33rd in passes defended. Scott Lathrop ranks 45th in receptions per game, while ranking 49th in punt returns.
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.
Score Some Points: The Lions scored 40 or more points in the last two games (42 at Central Oklahoma and 45 vs. Northeastern State). It is the first time since the 2008 season the Lions have scored 40+ points in back-to-back games (Harding - 45, Haskell - 66).
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 second 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 seventh. 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 aginst FHSU.
Weather Report: The weather report for the St. Charles area on Saturday calls for partly cloudy conditions and a high of 68 degrees with a zero percent chance of precipitation.
Up Next: The Lions will finish off the regular season next weekend hosting Pittsburg State in the Miners Bowl at 3:30 pm.
