Joplin, Mo. --  The Missouri Southern football team will open up the 2022 regular season tomorrow night as the Lions play host to 14th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney. Kickoff is set for 7 pm inside Fred G. Hughes Stadium. 

Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 0-0, 0-0 MIAA | UNK 0-0, 0-0 MIAA
Date: Thursday, Sept. 1
Kick-Off: 7:00 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo.
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium  (7,000)
Series Record: UNK leads 12-7
Coaches: Atiba Bradley (4-8, overall/at MSSU) | Josh Lynn (66-50 overall/27-22 at UNK)

Media Coverage
MSSU Radio: 101-7 The Fault 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: Nebraska-Kearney holds a 12-7 record in the overall series, however the two teams have only played each other seven times since the 1988 season (three Lions wins) the last year Southern participated as a member of the NAIA and the Central States Intercollegiate Conference. The series features one of the most unique situations as both teams historically have been better at the other team's facility. The Lions are 2-7 at home, while 5-4 in Kearney. UNK won the first four meetings, but Southern took the next three. The Lopers hold a slight edge (7-6) in the last 13 meetings.

The Dish On The Lopers:

The Lopers were the MIAA runners-up a season ago and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. UNK was picked to finish second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches and Media Polls and are ranked 14th to start the season in the Preseason AFCA Division II Poll. TJ Davis, the reigning MIAA Player of the Year and runner-up for the Harlon Hill Award returns to direct the high-powered Lopers' offense. Last season, Davis threw for 2,320 yards and ran for 1,151 yards accounting for 18 touchdowns on the round and 21 in the air. Montrez Jackson (93 for 556 yards) and Damien Cearns (72 for 426 yards) also carry the load on the ground for the Lopers. In the air, Jackson caught 19 passes for 221 yards and one score, while Cody Nelson (three touchdowns) and JerQon Connors (2 touchdowns) are also an option. On defense, the Lopers return their top three tacklers from a year ago. Darius Swanson had 98 tackles with four interceptions, while Zach Schlager (73 tackles) and Jacee Nutter (70 tackles) stop up the defensive backfield. After this week, the Lopers will be back home to take on Pittsburg State a week from Thursday.

A Victory vs. The Lopers Would: stop a 4-game winning streak for the Lopers against the Lions. Prior to that, the Lions had won three in a row against UNK. It would also be the first season-opening win since 2013.

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 Nevada 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.

Welcome Back O: The Lions welcome back eight starters on offense this year. Dawson Herl will have Nathan Glades in the backfield, as well as Jaedon Stoshak at wide receiver, while four different offensive linemen return as starters.

Welcome Back D: Just like the offense, the defense returns eight starters from a year ago. Richard Jordan Jr., Coleman Booker and Colton Winder shore up the linebackers, while Dylan Bolden returns at cornerback. Solomona Fetuao, Solomon Garcia and Nick Kruse return to shore up the defensive line, while Romel Readus returns after missing last year due to injury.

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.

4th Quarter Comeback: The Lions posted a pair of fourth-quarter comeback last season as Southern defeated Central Missouri in week seven on a game-winning field goal from Nick Williams and also had a come-from-behind win at Central Oklahoma.

Young Guns: Nathan Glades ranked 11th nationally among freshmen in Division II in rushing yardage in 2021. Glades is sixth overall in the MIAA in that category (regardless of class). Dawson Herl ranked fifth nationally among freshmen in DII in passing yardage and was sixth in the MIAA (regardless of class).

Turnover U: The Lions have forced 20 turnovers last season and gave up only 11. Southern ranked 20th nationally as the Lions were one of the best teams in Division II in turnover margin.

Uncanny Accuracy: Dawson Herl threw his first interception of the year at Lincoln in week six. Up until that point, Herl had thrown 138-straight passes without throwing a pick, setting a new MSSU school record.

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. 200: Richard Jordan, Jr. went over the 200 tackle plateau against Fort Hays State. Jordan has 289 in his career at Southern, ranking eighth all-time at MSSU.

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 programs history. Jordan, Jr. was named an All-American last year by the Don Hansen Football Committee.

Kick It Nick: Twice last season, Nick Williams had three field goals in a game as Williams kicked the game-winner against Central Missouri as part of three against the Mules and was 3-for-3 against Pittsburg State.

Rack up the points: Nick Williams had 62 points last year as a kicker, ranking second all-time in a single season amongst kickers in that category. Williams had 26 PAT's and 12 field goals.

This Week's Officials: The officials as assigned by the MIAA this week are as follows: referee: Matt Beck, umpire: Jeff Bader, linesman: Jason Harris line judge: Daniel Funk, side judge: Matt Brull, field judge: Justin Brewer, back judge: William Gregory, center judge: Devin Jarrett.

Tough League/Region: The MIAA has two teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 2nd, while Nebraska-Kearney is 14th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has four teams in the top ten and has six 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 Thursday calls for mostly cloudy skies. There will be a high of 90 with winds out of the south, southeast at 10 MPH and an eight percent chance of rain.