subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Jul 04 2009 

Published October 11, 2008 02:26 am -

MSSU, Hays stress defense



By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

Points have been few and far between in football games between Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State the last two years.

The Tigers posted a 10-0 victory at home in 2006, and the Lions prevailed 6-0 last season in Joplin.

Entering today’s game in Hays, Kan., both teams possess two of the MIAA’s best defenses.

Fort Hays State leads the conference in total defense (270.5 yards per game) and rushing defense (93.2). The Lions are fourth in total defense (313.3) and first in pass defense (136.8 yards).

“Fort Hays is a solid defensive outfit,” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said. “They play hard, fundamentally sound. They are doing a great job on that side of the ball, and our defensive is playing really good.”

Tatum and Tigers head coach Kevin Verdugo, former quarterback and defensive back at Pittsburg High School, have emphasized defense while building their programs.

“I told our people here if you build a defense and keep the other team from scoring too many points, you’re always in a ball game,” Verdugo said. “Our defense has probably only had two bad quarters all year. We’ve been able to infuse that side of the ball with pretty good players. They understand what we’re trying to do, and they’re playing disciplined football.”

“We have put a lot of eggs in that (defensive) basket, and it’s been productive,” Tatum said. “Consistently our defense has produced. We had a terrible outing against (Nebraska-Omaha) ... nobody likes giving up 500 yards and 300 yards-plus rushing.

“That hasn’t happened very much in our three years here, just two or three times. I feel on that side of the ball they take a tough mentality into every game for the most part, and they’ve been producing. Mission accomplished on that ... just keep building and keep doing it, and we have a lot of guys coming back on that side of the ball.”

“On defense, it’s the nature of the game. You go around, fly around, have fun,” said inside linebacker Jared Brawner, who’s second in the conference with 9.8 tackles per game. “We recruit players who have that mentality. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves as far as you can’t just execute and do your job. Our focus is to make plays and have fun. If you do that, you’ll win the game.”

Offensively the Lions are sixth in the conference in scoring (27.5 points) and total offense (342.7). They were limited to 203 yards — only 20 on the ground — in last week’s 23-0 homecoming loss to Washburn.

The Lion defense gave up 254 yards and one touchdown as the Ichabods returned two interceptions for scores.

Fort Hays State, which defeated Washburn 17-7 in its league opener, lost 31-28 last week at Missouri Western after spotting the Griffons a 21-point lead.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story





monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Click here!!

We Blog!
We Pod Cast!

We Twitter!

: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!

TV LIsitngs



Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!
Featured Jobs

PCA 'S AND CNA'S
PCAs and CNAs In Joplin and surrounding areas. Call 417-206-7878....>MORE

GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Located on US Business. 60
7 acres with 3 BR house on Hickory Creek
3 buildings with 20 10 x 15 units each
...>MORE

LIFEGUARDS

all shifts available, Apply in person
at either Joplin Family Y location.
www.joplinfamilyy.org.
...>MORE

NURSING PROGRAM COORDINATOR

for Crowder College in Cassville. Requires Master‚s in Nursing and two years of experience within the last five ye
...>MORE

GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE

TEAMS NEEDED

SIGN-ON BONUS $3000
Benefits and West Coast
$$ Scheduled Raises $$
HIGH MILES WEEKLY
72hrs
...>MORE

DRIVERS WANTED
DRIVERS WANTED Drivers needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin, a growing company in the Joplin and surrounding areas. ...>MORE

CNA AND CMT
CNA AND CMT Joplin Healthcare Center is looking for CMT for day 12 hour shift. Also a CNA for night 12 hours shift. Exc...>MORE

TRUCK MECHANIC

needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools
...>MORE

DELIVERY DRIVER
We have a full time position open for a delivery driver. Position consists of working part time in the warehouse in addi...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1932 FORD
5 window, coupe, glass body rolling chassis, torch thrust, 2 wheels, etc, $18,000. (417)781-1932, or 417-437-9942...>MORE

FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE

1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE

GMC, 2006
2500 4x4, regular cab/bed, 133,000 miles, $9850. (417)214-0022....>MORE

NEED 2 DRIVERS
with 3 years plus $ miles with turn arounds back to Joplin, MO. Home often. 417-325-7320....>MORE

1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500.
Bob 417-781-1932
...>MORE

LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE

1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
2 door, 2 wheel drive, barn door rear, lowered, custom paint/grill/wheels, asking $5500. (417)781-1932, or cell (417)437...>MORE

YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE

MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE

HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE

LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE

OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE

2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE

OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

YORKIE-CHORKIE
Yorkie-Chorkie, 6 weeks, weight 12 oz. and up. 417-358-4202....>MORE

MALTIES PUPS
$150-$300; Yorkies, $300; Morkies-$200. 592-7827, leave message....>MORE

2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE

LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE

INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE

20% off all grocery items
20% off all cleaning supply items
20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep
...>MORE

MINIATURE DACHSHUND PUPPIES
6 weeks old, $100. (417)781-4099....>MORE

MINI SCHNAUZERS
8 weeks AKC house breaking underway, vet checked/healthy. rsfieker@yahoo.com 417-235-3168....>MORE

ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE

PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE

WANTED; 2006 OR NEWER BUMPER TRAILER
WANTED: 2006 or newer 28-29’ bumper hitch travel trailer with slide, in excellent condition. (417)235-3402....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition