Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern football program will continue its two-game road trip as the Lions head north to Maryville to take on No. 11 ranked Northwest Missouri State University this Saturday. Kickoff from Bearcat Stadium is set for 1:30 pm.
Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 4-5, 4-5 MIAA | NWMSU 7-2, 7-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, Nov. 5
Kick-Off: 1:30 pm, CT
Location: Maryville, Mo.
Site: Bearcat Stadium (6,500)
Series Record: NWMSU leads 28-4
Coaches:
Atiba Bradley (8-13, overall/at MSSU) | Rich Wright (49-12 overall/at NWMSU)
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: Northwest holds a 28-4 record against the Lions. Southern won last in 1994, 34-9 at Hughes Stadium, the only win at home in the series. Southern is 3-13 in Maryville, and 1-15 at home, but haven't beat the Bearcats since 1994. The Bearcats own the longest current winning streak against the Lions at 26-straight games.
The Dish On The Bearcats: The Bearcats are ranked 11th nationally in both polls this week and have won four out of their last five games. Northwest averages 29 points per game, while limiting its opponents to 17 and the Bearcats average 174 yards on the ground and 232 through the air for 406 per game of total offense. Northwest, however, is susceptible to the penalty as the Bearcats average 57 yards of penalties each game. Jamar Moya leads the offense for the Bearcats as he is the leading rusher with 93 carries for 501 yards and three scores. In the air, Moya has caught 47 passes for 381 yards and three scores. Quarterback Mike Hohensee is 121-of-179 on the season for 1,388 yards and 13 touchdowns with six interceptions. Robert Rawie has 37 carries for 234 yards and four touchdowns, while Jay Harris has 41 carries for 186 yards and four scores. In the air, Kashan Griffin leads the team with 454 yards on 22 receptions and three scores, while Trevon Alexander has 22 catches for 342 yards and three scores. Defensively, Isaac Vollstedt has 50 tackles on the season with 31 solos and four sacks, while Elijah Green has 40 tackles including 18 behind the line and ten sacks. Zach Howard has 40 tackles, as well with 12.5 for a loss and eight sacks to go along with four quarterback hurries. After this week, the Bearcats will be at Emporia State on November 12 for a 1 pm kickoff with the Hornets to end the regular season.
A Victory vs. The Bearcats Would: stop a 25-game losing streak to Northwest 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 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 Fetuao, 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 second in punt return defense and eighth in tackles for a loss allowed. Southern is ninth in both turnovers lost and punt returns, while ranking tenth in punting, 14th in passes had intercepted, 21st in turnover margin, 30th in fumbles recovered, 31st in sacks allowed and 39th in 3rd down conversions.
MIAA Team Rankings: Southern leads the MIAA inpunt return defense, redzone offense and tackles for a loss allowed. The Lions rank second in fumbles recovered, punting, turnover margin and turnovers gained, while ranking third in passes had intercepted, punt returns, sacks alllowed, sacks, and turnovers lost.
National Individual Rankings: Richard Jordan Jr. ranks third nationally in forced fumbles, while Coleman Booker is 11th in the category. Jaedon Stoshak is fourth in punt return touchdowns, while ranking fifth in punt returns and Ezekiel Lang ranks 13th nationally in yards per reception. Nick Williams ranks 6th in punting, 16th in field goals per game and 25th in field goal percentage, while Jordan is 20th in tackles. Booker and Colton Winder rank 14th each in fumbles recovered, while Nathan Galdes is 30th in rushing and 37th in rushing yards per game.
MIAA Individual Rankings: Jordan leads the MIAA in forced fumbles, while Booker and Winder lead the league in fumbles recovered. Stoshak leads the league in punt return touchdowns, while Williams leads the MIAA in punting. Williams is second in field goals per game, while Glades is second in both rushing and rushing yards per game and Jordan is second in total tackles.
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.
Successful Start: Luke Sampson had a solid game from in his first collegiate start as he went 12-for-20 with 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Run It Dwayne: Dwayne Lawson ran for 125 yards on seven carries, including a huge 80-yard touchdown run that is the longest rush of the season for the Lions.
Mr. 300: Richard Jordan, Jr. went over the 300 tackle plateau in week one against UNK. Jordan has 375 in his career at Southern, ranking third all-time at MSSU as he has passed Steve Forbis at No. 3. He is 31 tackles from tying his father, Richard Jordan Sr. for second on the MSSU career tackles list.
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.
Mr. 1000: Nathan Glades went over 1,000 rushing yards in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Glades currently has 1,524 rushing yards.
Mr. 200: Colton Winder went over 200 tackles in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Winder currently has 256 tackles in 31 career games played.
The Century Mark: Nathan Glades has ran for 100 yards or more in four of the eight games this season. In his career, Glades has eight 100-yard rushing games.
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 16 takeaways this year and given just nine. The Lions rank second the MIAA in turnovers gained and in turnover margin.
This Week's Officials: The officials as assigned by the MIAA this week are as follows: referee: Brian Moore, umpire: David Burham, linesman: Matthew Barth, line judge: Phil Lombardi, side judge: Joshua Schmidt, field judge: Justin Denning, back judge: Brett Cahill, center judge: Philip Kirgan.
Tough League/Region: The MIAA has three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Pittsburg State is 5th, while Northwest Missouri is 11th and Emporia State is 23rd. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has four teams in the top ten and has ten teams in the top 25. There are 12 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.
Weather Report: The weather report for the Maryville area on Saturday calls for morning showers. There will be a high of 54 with winds out of the southwest at 15 MPH and a 62 percent chance of rain.
