September 08, 2008 12:15 am
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By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Running back Toderick Hunt spent the 2007 football season rehabilitating after knee surgery.
Quarterback Collin Howard had played exactly one snap since directing Webb City High School to the Class 4 state championship in 2006.
Both saw extended playing time last Thursday, and neither showed any major signs of rust in Missouri Southern’s 66-9 victory over Haskell at Fred. G. Hughes Stadium.
Hunt, 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior, rushed for 175 yards on 21 carries, including touchdowns of 5, 47 and 12 yards. He gained 109 yards in last year’s season opener against Haskell and 42 yards in six games the rest of the season.
“After coming back from ACL surgery, it’s just great to be back in the game,” Hunt said. “It was a good opportunity for me to show what I can do since I’m 100 percent again.
“More reps against other people always helps you get better. It was great to be back, I’m telling you. Last year was a rehab year for me. i was a fourth-quarter player most of the time.”
Hunt picked up 101 yards on 10 carries in the second half.
“I truly believe he is one of those guys that went the body temperature elevates, the blood pressure elevates and he’s in for extended snaps, he’s more effective,” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said.
Howard had one carry — a 15-yarder for a first down — in the final minute of the first half against Harding one week earlier. Against Haskell he scored on option keepers around right end of 30 and 25 yards and a 37-yard quarterback draw.
“We’ve been working on some run-game stuff,” Howard said. “I was hoping I would get in some, and the coaches were talking about everybody getting some playing time.”
Howard spent last season as a redshirt, directing the scout team.
“It was very tough, especially after the year with the group of guys I played with, the senior year that I had,” Howard said. :”But there is a lot to learn with this offense. It’s just fun to finally get back in the game.”
Roland Thompson also played quarterback for the Lions, hitting 3 of 5 pases for 17 yards and gaining 19 yards on two carries.
“I like all our quarterbacks. I’ve always liked them,” Tatum said. “And we have one redshirting right now (Blake McDonald) who is an exciting football player. He can throw it a little bit, but he has feet kind of like Howard does. This spring we’re going to be able to open some things up with the option game, the quarterback running game that we haven’t been able to do.
“But i believe everybody knows and understands that (Adam) Hinspeter is the guy. Luckily we were able to save his arm a little bit (Thursay night) and get him out of the game early and not risk an injury.”
Neither Howard nor Hunt said they were tired after their first extensive college action.
“We practice plenty,” Howard said. “Just to get that first snap under your belt, and it’s fine after that.”
Lion tidbits
• The Lions’ 66 points against Haskell were two shy of the school record, a 68-24 victory over Evangel on Sept. 18, 1982.
• The Lions rushed for 404 yards, their highest output since picking up 455 yards against Southwest Baptist in a 44-7 victory on Oct. 7, 1995.
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