Joplin, Mo. --  The Missouri Southern football team will be back in the friendly confines of Fred G. Hughes Stadium as the Lions will play host to Central Oklahoma this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 5 pm. 

Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 1-1, 1-1 MIAA | UCO 1-1, 1-1 MIAA
Date: Saturday, September 17
Kick-Off: 5:00 pm, CT
Location: Joplin, Mo. 
Site: Fred G. Hughes Stadium  (7,000)
Series Record: UCO leads 6-3
Coaches: Atiba Bradley (5-9, overall/at MSSU) | Adam Dorrel (1-1 at UCO/95-44 overall)

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: This is just the tenth meeting all-time between the two schools. UCO leads the series 6-3, overall. The Lions defeated Central Oklahoma 25-20 in 2012 in Edmond in the season-opener and also won 52-38 in 2014. Southern had a thrilling victory last season, Coach Atiba Bradley's first MIAA win, as the Lions got a 54-yard touchdown pass in the final minute  and an interception on the ensuing possession to secure the win. UCO picked up a triple overtime win in 2014 in a thriller in Edmond, and had won the previous six meetings.

The Dish On The Bronchos: The Bronchos come into the game with the Lions having come-from-behind to defeat Emporia State 21-13 in week two. UCO is 1-1 on the season. The Bronchos are being out scored by nearly two touchdowns per game and outgained by 236 yards per game. UCO has given up 16 penalties for 136 yards on the early season. Stephon Brown leads the offense for the Bronchos. The quarterback is the team's leading rusher, having ran the ball 27 times for 112 yards and two scores. Nasir Kemper has 14 carries for 61 yards, while Jaylen Cottrell has ran six times for 24 yards. Brown si 26-for-38 on the season with 180 yards and one score through the air. Kemper has caught nine passes for 95 yards and a score, while Daunte McGee has three catches for 35 yards and Diego Richards has six catches for 24 yards. Defensively, the Bronchos' top tackler is Connor Johnson with 13 tackles, while Blake  Barron and Noah West have 11 stops on the season each. West has a team-high 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Kobey Stephens has the team's lone interception. After this game, the Bronchos will head home to play host to Northwest Missouri next Saturday at 2 pm.

A Victory vs. The Bronchos Would: be the second-straight win against UCO and would give the Lions their second two-game winning streak against the Bronchos.

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.

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.

A Good Offense Starts With A Good Defense: Dylan Bolden sparked a scoring drive in week one against Nebraska-Kearney when he intercepted a pass from TJ Davis inside the UNK red zone. That play set up a scoring drive that saw Dawson Herl rush in from four yards out for the score.

Herl for 6: Dawson Herl recorded is first career rushing touchdown in week one against Nebraska-Kearney when he took a read option and scored from four yards out.

National Rankings: The Lions lead Division II in blocked kicks alloed, blocked punts allowed, fumbles lost, and red zone offense. Southern ranks fifth in punting, seventh in turnovers lost, 11th in red zone defense, 22nd in both turnover margin and kickoff return defense and 27th in passes intercepted. 

MIAA Rankings: Southern leads the MIAA in blocked kicks allowed, blocked punts allowed, fumbles lost, punting,passes intercepted, red zone offense, turnover margin and turnovers lost. The Lions rank second in red zone defense, sacks, and passing yards allowed, while ranking third in kickoff defense, passes had intercepted, scoring defense and team passing efficiency defense.

Individual Rankings: Nick Williams ranks third nationally in punting and leads the MIAA in that category. Richard Jordan leads Division II in solo tackles, while ranking fourth nationally in total tackles. Nathan Glades ranks 12th in rushing tackles and 19th in total touchdowns, leading the MIAA in each category. Solomona Fetuao, Lalepo Fiaseu and Jordan rank 18th nationally and lead the MIAA in forced fumbles, while Jeremiah Hawkins ranks 24th nationally and second in the MIAA in kick returns.

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 316 in his career at Southern, ranking seventh 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.

MIAA Special Teams Athlete Of The Week: Nick Williams was named the MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week this week. Williams had four punts for 166 yards, averaging 41.5 yards, including a long of 56 and three inside the 20. Williams hit his only field goal attempt of the evening, a 36-yard try late in the fourth.

Kicking Some D: Nick Williams punted the ball seven times for an average of 47.6 yards and a long of 61 yards including three inside the 20 in week one against UNK. He had three punts over 50 yards setting up the Southern defense nicely throughout the game.

Mona's Game: Solomona Fetuao had a stellar game at NSU as he had a pair of sacks, three total tackles for a loss of 12 yards and a forced fumble.

Second-Half D: The Lions' D came on strong in the second half against Northeastern State. Southern held the RiverHawks to just one touchdown in the half, but the fourth quarter saw NSU have just seven yards on 12 plays.

Glades For Three: Nathan Glades was a workhorse for the Lions at NSU as the sophomore had three touchdowns on 133 yards and 20 carries. The three touchdowns on the ground is the first time for a Lion since Jacob Park had three against NSU in 2019.

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

Takeaway U: Southern has forced takeaways this year and given just one. The Lions lead the MIAA in both turnover margin and fewest turnovers.

This Week's Officials: The officials as assigned by the MIAA this week are as follows: referee: Matt Beck, umpire: Richard Owens, linesman: Ben Tenpenny, 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. Northwest Missouri is 2nd, while Pittsburg State is 16th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has five teams in the top ten and has eight 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 Joplin area on Saturday calls for mostly sunny skies. There will be a high of 91 with winds out of the south at 15 MPH and an four percent chance of rain.