WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Missouri Southern football (0-1) mounted a fourth-quarter comeback attempt but came up short Saturday night, falling 30-23 to Midwestern State (1-0) at Memorial Stadium in the 2026 season opener.
The Lions got off to a fast start, scoring nine points in the opening quarter to take a 9-2 lead.
Asher Huffman opened the scoring with a 43-yard field goal with 9:20 remaining in the first quarter.
Just over two minutes later,
Tillman Martin connected with
Isaiah Green for a 38-yard touchdown, giving the Lions a 9-0 advantage. Midwestern State answered on the ensuing extra-point attempt when Ethan Dishman returned a blocked kick 88 yards for two points, making it 9-2.
The Mustangs took control in the second quarter, scoring twice to take a 16-9 lead at halftime. Kaden Brown scored on a four-yard touchdown run before connecting with Tyler Brown on a 62-yard touchdown pass.
Midwestern State added two more touchdowns in the third quarter to extend its lead to 30-9. Jaden Coulter scored from one yard out before Kaden Brown found Dalton Bailey for a 16-yard touchdown.
Southern responded with its strongest offensive quarter of the night in the fourth.
Martin and Green connected for their second touchdown of the game with 12:46 remaining, this time on a two-yard pass to cap a 75-yard, nine-play drive. Huffman's extra point cut the deficit to 30-16.
The Lions continued to battle, putting together another long scoring drive.
Messiah Smith finished a 90-yard, six-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run with 7:11 remaining. Huffman's extra point brought Southern within one score at 30-23.
The Lions' defense then forced a Midwestern State fumble at the Southern 11-yard line with 3:02 remaining, giving MSSU an opportunity to complete the comeback. Southern was unable to convert the opportunity but was within striking distance in the waning moments of the game as time expired.
Martin finished the night 21-of-38 passing for 210 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 18 yards. Green led the Lions through the air with seven receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Isaiah Padello added five catches for 71 yards.
On the ground,
Narkel LeFlore led Southern with 45 yards on eight carries, while Smith rushed for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Allen Mitchell added 23 rushing yards.
Defensively,
Riley Hammons and
Briar McIntire led the Lions with seven tackles apiece.
Noah Conner added five tackles and recorded an interception, while
Tugase Williams added two tackles and a team-best 13-yard sack.
Southern finished with 316 yards of total offense, including 210 passing yards and 106 rushing yards. The Lions recorded 22 first downs and held the ball for 29:43.
MSSU next hosts Upper Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 5 in the Lions' home opener at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., CT.
Tickets are currently on sale
online. Fans can also purchase an
MIAA Network subscription to support Missouri Southern Athletics and catch all the Lions action this 2026-27 season.
