Joplin, Missouri. – Missouri Southern football opened the 2025 season with a 33-19 win over Midwestern State on Aug. 30 at Fred G. Hughes Stadium, powered by a two-touchdown performance from running back Nathan Glades.

The Mustangs struck first, scoring on the opening play with a 75-yard pass just 13 seconds into the game.

MSSU responded with an 8:06 drive capped by a one-yard rush from Glades for the Lions' first touchdown of the year.

After another Midwestern State touchdown, Southern cut the deficit with a field goal from Drake Reese to make it 13-10. The Lions then grabbed the lead late in the second quarter when freshman quarterback Tillman Martin connected with Draper Parker for a 30-yard score—Martin's first career touchdown pass.

The Mustangs answered with a field goal, but Reese's second kick of the night, gave MSSU a 20-16 halftime advantage, as time expired.

The third quarter remained quiet until Glades broke loose for his second touchdown, a 29-yard run to extend the Lions' lead. In the fourth, Victor Chionuma sealed the win with a 62-yard touchdown rush.

Head coach Atiba Bradley praised his team's effort down the stretch. "The thing I was proud of was that our guys were not complacent. I felt like our guys played like it was 0-0 and were looking to extend the lead," Bradley said.

Martin finished his collegiate debut 17-for-22 passing with 164 yards and one touchdown. Glades led a rushing attack that totaled 285 yards, contributing 93 of his own. On defense, redshirt senior Zach Bergmann anchored the Lions with 14 tackles.

Missouri Southern returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Bolivar to take on Southwest Baptist.