Joplin, Mo. --  The Missouri Southern football team heads back on the road as the Lions will travel to Hays, Kan. to take on Fort Hays State University this Saturday evening. Kickoff from Lewis Field Stadium is set for 7 pm. 

Game Information
Team Records: MSSU 2-1, 2-1 MIAA | FHSU 1-2, 1-2 MIAA
Date: Saturday, September 24
Kick-Off: 7:00 pm, CT
Location: Hays, Kan. 
Site: Lewis Field Stadium  (6,362)
Series Record: FHSU leads 18-13-1
Coaches: Atiba Bradley (6-9, overall/at MSSU) | Chris Brown (72-45, overall/at FHSU)

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: Fort Hays State leads the all-time series 18-13-1.  The Lions have a 6-9 record at Hughes Stadium and are 7-9-1 at Lewis Field in Hays. The two teams renewed their series in 2006 for the first time since 1988, with the Tigers snapping a season-long losing streak with a 10-0 win over Southern. Prior to that, the last time for the two to meet was when both schools were a member of the NAIA Central States Intercollegiate Conference. Southern won that game 21-10.  FHSU has won ten of the last 19 games.

The Dish On The Tigers: The Tigers come into the game 1-2 on the season after opening with losses to Northwest Missouri and Missouri Western, but picking up a 51-14 win last week at Lincoln. The Tigers have out scored their opponents 89-82 on the season, while averaging 107.7 yards per game on the ground and 284 through the air for 391.7 per game of total offense. The team has 16 penalties on the season for 140 yards. Jack Dawson has started the past two games for FHSU after Chance Fuller was injured in game one. Dawson is 33-of-57 on the season for 477 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Dawson also has 11 carries for 46 yards and three scores on the ground. Adrian Soto is the lead rusher for the Tigers with 155 yards on 31 carries and one touchdown. Ja'Quann Tillis has 64 yards on the ground for FHSU. Manny Ramsey is Dawson's top target in the air, having caught 14 passes for 218 yards and a score. Hunter Budke has a couple touchdowns and 155 yards through the air, while Trevor Watts has ten receptions for 88 yards. Defensively, the Tigers are led by Makel Williams with 22 tackles, including nine solo and a quarterback hurry. Mason Perez has 19 stops and two QBH's, while Gaven Haselhorst has 15 tackles and 4.5 TFL. Jeremiaha Jackson-Trotter leads the team with three sacks, while Hunter Brown and Daniel Howard have the lone two interceptions. After this game, the Tigers will be at Nebraska-Kearney next weekend.

A Victory vs. The Tigers Would: stop an eight-game winning streak by the Tigers over the Lions. It would also be the first three-game winning streak for Southern 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.

Herl for Six: 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 allowed, blocked punts allowed, fumbles lost, passing yards allowed, red zone offense, team passing efficiency defense, turnover margin and turnovers lost. Southern ranks fourth in turnovers lost, 11th in passing yards allowed, 18th in kickoff return defense, punting, and turnover margin, while ranking 19th nationally in team passing efficiency defense and red zone defense.

MIAA Rankings: Southern leads the MIAA in blocked kicks allowed, blocked punts allowed, fumbles lost, passing yards allowed, red zone offense, team passing efficiency defense, turnover margin and turnovers lost. Southern ranks second in third down defense, kickoff defense, passes intercepted, sacks and punt return defense. All told, the Lions rank in the top-3 of 20 different offensive and defensive categories.

Individual Rankings: Nick Williams leads Division II in field goal percentage, while ranking 15th in punting. Richard Jordan Jr is second nationally in solo tackles, while ranking third in forced fumbles and sixth in total tackles. Colton Winder is 19th nationally in fumbles recovered. Williams leads the MIAA in FG percentage, while Jordan leads the league in solo tackles and forced fumbles and Winder leads in fumbles recovered.

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 325 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.

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.

Mr. 1000: Nathan Glades went over 1,000 rushing yards in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Glades currently has 1,022 rushing yards.

Mr. 200: Colton Winder went over 200 tackles in his career at Missouri Southern against UCO. Winder currently has 202 tackles in 25 career games played.

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 five 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: Kyle Sommer, umpire: Jeff Bader, linesman: Jason Harris, line judge: Daniel Funk, side judge: Mark Brull, field judge: Justin Brewer, back judge: Michael Meenen, center judge: Michael Edwards.

Tough League/Region: The MIAA has three teams in the coaches top 25 this week. Northwest Missouri is 2nd, while Pittsburg State is 14th and Nebraska-Kearney is 25th. The Super Region Three, which the Lions are a part of, has five teams in the top ten and has ten teams in the top 25. There are 11 teams total that are either ranked or receiving votes in the poll from the region.

Weather Report: The weather report for the Hays area on Saturday calls for mostly sunny skies. There will be a high of 85 with winds out of the north at 6 MPH and an six percent chance of rain.