Joplin, Mo. --  The Missouri Southern football program be back at home this weekend as Southern will take on Emporia State in the Hall of Fame Game. Kick off from Fred G. Hughes Stadium is set for 2 pm on Saturday.

Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 4-3, 4-3 MIAA | ESU 5-2, 5-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, October 22
Kick-Off: 2:00 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium  (7,000)
Series Record: ESU leads 24-22
Coaches: Atiba Bradley (8-11, overall/at MSSU) | Garin Higgins (143-85 overall/92-76 MIAA) 

Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: 101-7 The Vault 101.7 FM; - Mike McClure, Play-by-Play, Scott Boudreaux, Color
Live Coverage: www.mssulions.com/coverage 
Lions on Facebook:  Facebook.com/mososports
Lions on Twitter: @mososports; @mosofootball
Lions on Instagram: @mososports

The Series: ESU leads the series between the two schools 24-22. Southern is 13-9 at home and 9-15 in Emporia. Emporia has won the last nine games in a row, but the Lions had won the previous four meetings. Southern dominated the series early when both teams were in the NAIA, winning 12 of the first 15 matchups.

The Dish On The Hornets: The Hornets are 5-2 on the season and have won three in a row, including a convincing 44-21 win last week at No. 22 Nebraska-Kearney. ESU has out scored its opponents 234-147 this year and is averaging 33 points to 21 for its foes. The Hornets average 157 yards on the ground and 307 through the air for 463.9 per game of total offense. ESU is 25-of-30 on redzone scores and 20-of-30 in redzone touchdowns. Braden Gleason leads the offense as the quarterback is 192-of-291 passing this year with 2,123 yards ad 17 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Gleason has 45 carries for 205 yards and five scores. Billy Ross Jr. leads the rushing attack for the Hornets with 85 carries for 422 yards and five scores, while Canaan Brooks has 75 carries for 399 yards and four touchdowns. Through the air, Corey Thomas has caught 30 passes for 514 yards and six scores, while Tyler Kahmann has 32 receptions for 336 yards and five touchdowns and Cole Schumacher has 30 receptions for 260 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively, Cade Hrelson leads the way with 53 tackles including three tackles for a loss, an interception and three quarterback hurries. Dawson Hammes has 52 stops, a sack and an interception, while Jaedon Pool has 44 tackles and a fumble recovery. Declan Haub and Montrell Wilson have a team-high two interceptions, while Jack Barger has 1.5 sacks to lead the way. After this week, the Hornets will be back at home hosting Fort Hays State next Saturday at 2 pm.

A Victory vs. The Hornets Would: stop a nine game losing streak to ESU for the Lions. It would also be the first five-win season for the Lions since the 2013 season.

NFL Executive: Former Lion and former NFL wide receiver James Thrash is in his third 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 Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles.

Lions On Radio: The Lions will partner with 101-7 The Vault this year as Southern can now be heard on 101.7 FM.

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 6 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.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions 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.   

Defensive Lineage: Three former Lions' defensive coaches, all whom current head coach Atiba Bradley and assistant coach Joe Bettasso learned under, are in high-profile positions. Scottie Hazelton (04-05) is the Defensive Coordinator at Michigan State, Brian Ward (2005) is the Defensive Coordinator at Washington State and Todd Wash (2004) is the Defensive Line Coach for the Detroit Lions in the NFL.

Green And Gold Alums: The Lions have four members of their staff that were either players or earned a degree from Missouri Southern. Head Coach Atiba Bradley, as well as Defensive Coordinator Joe Bettasso and Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Matt Rahl all played for the Lions, while Director of Operations, Rylee Hartwell is a MOSO grad.

Returning All-MIAA: The Lions return six players that were named All-MIAA a season ago in Richard Jordan Jr., Solomona Fetao, Dylan Bolden, Nick Kruse, Colton Winder and Nick Williams. Williams won All-MIAA honors at two different positions (kicker and punter).

I'll Take That: Dylan Bolden was one of just nine players in Division II with two interceptions returned for a touchdown last season. It tied a single-season MSSU record. Bolden picked up his two pick-six's at UCO in week three and Lincoln in week six.

MIAA Special Teams Athlete Of The Week: Nick Williams was named the MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week for the second time this season after he had three field goals in the game at No. 10 Pitt State. The senior hit field goals from 52, 24 and 42 yards with the 52-yarder being his longest of the season. Williams also had seven punts for an average of 46 yards, including a long of 72 yards and three inside the Gorillas 20-yard line.

National Team Rankings: The Lions lead Division II in red zone offense, while ranking fifth in punt return defense, 11th in punting, 14th in tackles for a loss allowed, 19th in turnover margin, 22 in passes had intercepted, 24th in turnovers gained, 29th in red zone defense and 39th in blocked kicks allowed.

MIAA Team Rankings: Southern leads the MIAA punt return defense, punt returns, red zone offense, tackles for a loss allowed and turnovers gained. The Lions rank second in the MIAA in fumbles recovered, punting, and turnover margin, while ranking third in passes intercepted and rushing offense.

National Individual Rankings: Richard Jordan Jr. leads Division II in forced fumbles, while Jaedon Stoshak is second in punt return touchdowns. Nick Williams is third in field goal percentage and fifth in field goals per game, while rnaking sixth in punting. Stoshak is eighth in punt returns, while Coleman Booker and Colton Winder rank 10th in fumbles recovered. Jordan is 11th in total tackles and 12th in solo tackles.

MIAA Individual Rankings: Williams leads the MIAA in field goals per game and punting, while Stoshak leads the MIAA in punt returns, punt return touchdowns, Jordan leads in forced fumbles and Booker and Winder lead in fumbles recovered.

Force It: Southern forced seven fumbles and recovered five at Fort Hays State in week four. None bigger was a force of a fumble from Jalen Dennis that stopped a Tigers' drive deep inside MSSU territory and secured the win for the Lions.

I'm Seeing Double: Dawson Herl will be joined by his younger brother Dayne Herl this year on the roster. Both Herls play quarterback.

Mr. 300: Richard Jordan, Jr. went over the 300 tackle plateau in week one against UNK. Jordan has 364 in his career at Southern, ranking fourth all-time at MSSU as he moved in front of both Don Stone and Greg Prosak last week. Next up for Jordan is 365 for Steve Forbis at No. 3.

New Record: Richard Jordan Jr. forced a pair of fumbles in the win at Fort Hays State in week four. Those forced fumbles gave him 11 in his career, breaking the previous record of 10 held by MSSU Hall of Famer Ron Burton.

D2football Elite 100 Watch List: Richard Jordan Jr. was announced on the 2022's version of the websites Elite 100 Watch List hat was selected by the staff of the publication and looks to point out the top 100 players in Division II. Jordan Jr. was listed as under the Squad team and is one of 12 from the MIAA listed.

All-American Lineage: Richard Jordan Jr. and his father Richard Jordan are the first father-son duo to be named All-American in the football program's history. Jordan, Jr. was named an All-American last year by the Don Hansen Football Committee.

Fourth Quarter Play: The Lions have out scored their opponents 56-38 in the final quarter of play this year. Take away game one against UNK, and that number becomes 56-24.

Mr. 1000: Nathan Glades went over 1,000 rushing yards in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Glades currently has 1,395 rushing yards.

Mr. 200: Colton Winder went over 200 tackles in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Winder currently has 235 tackles in 29 career games played.

The Century Mark: Nathan Glades has ran for 100 yards or more in four of the seven games this season. In his career, Glades has eight 100-yard rushing games.

Herl For Five: Dawson Herl was responsible for five touchdowns in the 41-20 win over UCO in week three. Herl had three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores.

Bass Brothers From Another Mother: Colton and Avery Bass (no relation) both had interceptions in the fourth quarter for the Lions at NSU that were key in turning the momentum in the game.

Takeaway U: Southern has forced 15 takeaways this year and given just nine. The Lions lead the MIAA in turnovers gained and rank second in turnover margin.

This Week's Officials: The officials as assigned by the MIAA this week are as follows: referee: David Burge, umpire: Richard Owens, linesman: Bill Gannaway, line judge: Heath Roberts, side judge: Shawn Norman, field judge: Ryan Pinkall, back judge: Ben Schmidt, center judge: Travis Jobe.

Tough League/Region: The MIAA has two teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Pittsburg State is 5th, while Northwest Missouri is 14th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has four teams in the top ten and has eight teams in the top 25. There are 14 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.

Weather Report: The weather report for the Joplin area on Saturday calls for partly cloudy skies. There will be a high of 80 with winds out of the south at 22 MPH and a zero percent chance of rain.