Sat, Jul 04 2009
|
|
Published August 31, 2008 11:57 pm - Bart Tatum wanted Missouri Southern to exhibit a more productive rushing attack in Saturday night’s 45-31 victory over Harding at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Lion offense starts hot By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com Bart Tatum wanted Missouri Southern to exhibit a more productive rushing attack in Saturday night’s 45-31 victory over Harding at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. But he’s not about to argue with the outcome. “I don’t care if it was negative yards rushing. It was good enough to win,” the Lions’ head coach said. “That’s the pleasing part.” The Lions and Harding combined for 36 yards rushing — 39 by MSSU, -3 by the Bisons — on 26 running plays in the first half. The Lions added 90 yards on 22 attempts in the second half compared to Harding’s 21 on 10 carries. Renard Johnson, after picking up 21 yards in the first half, gained 38 in the first 12 minutes of the third quarter before exiting with a hand injury. Ronnell Newman had a 29-yard burst to highlight his 42-yard effort after replacing Johnson, and wide receiver Mark Henderson and backup quarterback Collin Howard gained 22 and 15 yards, respectively, on their only carry. The Lion defense played pass defense much of the night as Harding’s David Knighton hit 31 of 61 passes for 365 yards. Twenty-three of his completions gained less than 10 yards, including 10 that went for five yards or less. The Lions provided good pressure both on the rush and in coverage most of the game, finishing with three sacks, one interception and eight pass breakups. “We’re not used to giving up 30-some points around here, and that’s a good thing,” Tatum said. “I don’t like shootouts. I like it when our defense is playing lights out. Our guys gave a good effort. Harding is a good football team. They are really good on offense ... it’s not like they are slouches.” Middle linebacker Jared Brawner made a team-high nine tackles, and Skyler Vandiver and Justin Cowper had seven stops apiece in the secondary. Special teams The kicking game — all phases — was a concern entering the season, but against Harding: • the Lions averaged 41.4 yards on four punts and allowed zero yards on punt returns; • Fred Smith averaged 11.0 yards on six punt returns, including a 15-yarder and 33-yarder that set up touchdowns. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Sports section
Rainey, Hefley commit to play at Arkansas Hall of Fame coach to take Neosho post Pool-play favorites treated rudely in Premier Incoming Frosh meet Firecracker 40 set at Nevada; local drivers post victories Silas Gray: Northern fishing tests angler’s skill at avoiding teeth |
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
 |
 |
    : Special Offer For New Subscribers :   
|
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
