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. 
•
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 |
