Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team will be back home for the first time in three weeks as the Lions play host to Central Oklahoma this Saturday. Kickoff from Fred G. Hughes Stadium inside the Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex is set for 3 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU - 0-7, 0-7 MIAA | UCO 3-4, 3-4 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2017
Kick-Off: 3 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium/Robert W. Plaster Sports Complex (7,000)
Series Record: Central leads the series, 3-2
Coaches:
Denver Johnson (3-26 at MSSU, 72-92 overall) | Nick Bobeck (25-37 overall/at UCO)
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://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions
Live Stats: http://sidearmstats.com/mssu/football
Lions on Facebook: Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
The Series: This is just the sixth meeting all-time between the two schools. UCO leads the series 3-2, overall. The Lions defeated Central Oklahoma 25-20 in 2012 in Edmond in the season-opener and also won 52-38 in 2014. UCO picked up a triple overtime win in 2014 in a thriller in Edmond, as well as wins in each of the last two seasons.
The Dish On The Bronchos: The Bronchos are 3-4 on the season with wins against Lindenwood, Emporia State and Nebraska-Kearney. UCO has losses to Pittsburg State, Fort Hays State, Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri. Chas Stallard leads the offensive attack as the quarterback has thrown for 1,947 yards on 143-233 with 17 touchdowns through the air. Stallard also has 274 yards on the ground with three scores. Jake Standlee is the leading rusher with 303 yards and four touchdowns, while Quan Hogan has 190 yards on the ground and two scores. Through the air, JT Luper is Stallard's favorite target as he has 1,061 yards and eight touchdowns for 17.1 yards per catch. Josh Crockett and L'liott Curry have four and three touchdowns, respectively. Defensively, Colton Lindsey and Riley Galyon lead the team with 58 tackles each. Lindsey has three and a half for a loss, while Galyon has 35 solo tackles and two pass break ups. Alex Figueroa leads the team with seven tackles for a loss and two sacks, while Stephan Robinson leads the Bronchos with two interceptions. UCO averages 417.3 yards of total offense per game, while giving up 441.7 per game to its opponents. The Bronchos average 278 yards per game through the air and 138.9 per game on the ground. The Bronchos will be back in action next week, playing host to Central Missouri at 2 pm.
A Victory vs. Central Oklahoma Would: stop a three-game winning streak for the Bronchos and even the series at three games each for each institution.
NFL Representation: The Lions will have two different players on NFL rosters to start the season. Brandon Williams is a starter on the defensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, while Allen Barbre will be with the Denver Broncos this year.
Show Me The Money: Brandon Williams has become a leader on the defense for the Baltimore Ravens, as well as the NFL. In the offseason, Williams became the highest-paid nose tackle in the NFL and the eighth-highest paid defensive lineman when he signed a five-year, $54 million contract.
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 Fort Hays State is 8th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has seven teams in the top 25. There are 10 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 Network. Fans can go to www.mssulions.com to view live and on-demand games.
Streaming Options: Fans now have even more options to view the Lions online in their homes and on the road. Not only can you view on your computer, fans can now view The MIAA Network on its over the top apps for either Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Android TV.
NCAA Team Stats Rankings: Southern ranks seventh nationally in fewest penalties and fewest penalties per game, while ranking seventh in fewest penalty yards and sixth in fewest penalty yards per game. The Lions rank 53rd nationally in blocked kicks and 65th in tackles for a loss.
MIAA Team Stats Rankings: Southern leads the MIAA in fewest penalties and penalty yards, while ranking fourth in tackles for a loss. The team also ranks fifth in blocked kicks, and punt return defense.
Individual Stats Rankings: Individually, Roc Robbins ranks 13th nationally in fumble recoveries, while Alexander Wade ranks 53rd nationally in total tackles and 60th in solo tackles.
Roc(K) Steady: Roc Robbins had a fumble recovery and a sack against Central Missouri last week.
Special Teams Success: The Missouri Southern special teams unit had a pretty good day against Nebraska-Kearney as the Lions got a blocked extra point from Mark Mudd, a blocked field goal from Carter Rees and a forced fumble from Brayden Scott that was recovered by Roc Robbins on fumble coverage.
Spread The Wealth: In four of the Lions' seven games this year, the Lions have thrown passes to at least nine different individuals. It was ten against Central Missouri, while against Emporia State and Washburn, that number was seven and Northwest Missouri the number was eight.
Behind the Line: The Lions had eight tackles for a loss against Emporia State. Southern stopped the Hornets for a loss of 26 yards.
Catching Fire: Dante Vandeven has made the transition to wide receiver rather well, averaging 24.6 yards per catch and two touchdowns.
Season-Ending Injury: Freshman Shemar Coleman has been ruled out for the season with a leg injury.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for a high of 77 and mostly cloudy conditions with a 20 percent chance of showers and windy conditions
Up Next: Southern will head out on the road as the Lions will travel to Northeastern State next Saturday. Kickoff from Doc Wadley Stadium is slated for 2 pm.
