Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football team scored its most points and had the most yards of total offense so far this season, but the Lions fell 63-33 at home to Central Oklahoma today.
Southern (0-8, 0-8 MIAA) got 106 yards of rushing from
Brayden Scott and three touchdowns on the ground, while Scott threw for 192 yards on 18-40 passing.
Josh Hadley rushed for 90 yards, while
Dante Vandeven caught 11 passes for 91 yards.
Brock Renken had two field goals, including a 30-yarder and a career-long 48-yarder.
Defensively,
Angelo Sumler led the Lions with nine tackles, while
Devonte Thomas and
Patrick Cheek had seven stops each.
Keith Beverly had a fumble recovery, while
EJ McKenzie had an interception.
UCO was led by quarterback Chas Stallard with 355 yards and two passing touchdowns on 24-27 passing. JT Luper caught ten passes for 137 yards Jake Standlee had three rushing touchdowns.
UCO got on the board first with a touchdown from Standlee with 12:03 left in the first. Renken's first field goal made the score 7-3 and on the ensuing kickoff,
Virgil Harris forced a fumble that Beverly recovered inside the UCO 25-yard line to set up another Southern scoring drive. On 4th and eight, Scott took a draw up the middle and went 22 yards for the score to make the score 9-7, Lions.
UCO picked up two quick touchdowns to lead 21-9 after on.
The Lions utilized another turnover when McKenzie picked off a pass that started another scoring drive. A pass from Scott to Vandeven for 26 yards set up a one-yard run by Scott to get the Lions within two at 21-19 after the extra point.
UCO got two more scores before halftime and lead 35-19 going into the break.
The Bronchos took the ball after halftime and after a big pass from Stallard to Josh Crockett for 74 yards before a one-yard touchdown run from Standlee.
UCO led 56-19 before the Lions added a 36-yard touchdown run from Hadley to make the score 56-26. Both teams added another score, the Lions' coming on another Scott rushing score.
The Lions will be back in action next weekend when Southern travels to Northeastern State. Kickoff from Doc Wadley Stadium is slated for 2 pm.
