From staff reports

MSSU pep rally slated for Thursday

A pep rally for Missouri Southern’s football team will be held Thursday night near the Mayes Student Life Center.

The pep rally will start at approximately 9, after the conclusion of the Lions’ women’s soccer match against Central Missouri at Hal Bodon Field. A fireworks display will be held after the rally.

The Lions, 2-0, open MIAA play on Saturday night at Pittsburg State.

Gorillas move up to No. 7 in D-II poll

After a 38-31 victory at then-No. 8 Chadron State (Neb.), Pittsburg State jumped seven spots to No. 7 in this week’s AFCA NCAA Division II football poll.

Missouri Southern received 11 points in the balloting of 26 head coaches for the second straight week. The Lions rank 31st in the voting, six spots higher than last week.

Five MIAA teams are ranked this week, and all five open MIAA play Saturday against unranked teams — No. 5 Nebraska-Omaha vs. Emporia State, No. 7 PSU vs. MSSU, No. 9 Northwest Missouri State vs. Missouri Western, No. 18 Washburn at Fort Hays State and No. 24 Central Missouri at Truman State.

PSU’s Smith, Witter earn MIAA awards

Pittsburg State quarterback Mark Smith and kicker Jared Witter received MIAA football player of the week awards.

Smith, a senior from St. Mary’s-Colgan, accounted for four touchdowns, including a 61-yard run for the go-ahead score with 1:45 left, in a 38-31 victory over Chadron State (Neb.). Smith hit 11 of 19 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns, and he netted 39 yards on 11 caries.

Witter, a sophomore from Lenexa, Kan., averaged 51.2 yards on five punts — one a career-best 71-yarder— and converted five extra points and a field goal.

OCC volleyball tops Bible Baptist

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Ozark Christian College inched closer to the .500 mark on Tuesday with a 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19 victory over Bible Baptist.