Fri, Nov 20 2009
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Published November 07, 2009 01:31 am - There are no playoff implications or bowl game possibilities on the line. But don’t think Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State have nothing to play for in today’s football season finale at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. For starters, the winner is assured of at least a share of sixth place in the MIAA with a 4-5 league record. Lions set goals against Fort Hays for season finale By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com There are no playoff implications or bowl game possibilities on the line. But don’t think Missouri Southern and Fort Hays State have nothing to play for in today’s football season finale at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. For starters, the winner is assured of at least a share of sixth place in the MIAA with a 4-5 league record. The Lions (3-6) need a victory to post a winning home record (3-2) and match last season’s victory total. The Lions have won at least four MIAA games twice since 1997 — 4-5 in 2004 under head coach John Ware and 5-4 in 2007 in Bart Tatum’s second year. “We’d really like to have a great game to send our seniors our with some style and some class because that’s what they are,” Tatum said. “There is still a lot to play for, and we intend to show up and give our best effort.” Fort Hays State (5-5) is looking for its first winning season since 2004. The Tigers won a total of four league games in their first three seasons in the MIAA. “It would be huge for the kids, huge to the program, especially being able to get the first winning season in the MIAA after the transition (from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference),” Tigers head coach Kevin Verdugo said. The Tigers ranked last in the conference in scoring in each of the past three years, but the offensive production has jumped to 31.7 points per game this season, ranking sixth in the league and 36th in Division II. The Tigers have scored at least 40 points in five games this year, and with 317 points this season, they need four points today to become the second-highest scoring team in school history. Junior quarterback Mike Garrison’s 2,409 passing yards this season rank fifth in school history, and he’s 191 yards shy of climbing into third place. Running back James Walker ranks sixth in the league in rushing (79.3) and all-purpose yards (106.4), and he’s caught a team-high 41 passes. Wide receiver O.J. Murdock leads the club with 689 receiving yards on 33 receptions. “Having the skill players around (Garrison) makes his life much better,” Verdugo said. “When we’re healthy, we are a solid two-deep in a four-receiver set, and I don’t mind playing any of them.” ‘It never hurts for a quarterback to have a good stable of receivers,” Tatum said. “They’ve gone out and added a couple of transfers at receiver who are very talented guys. Garrison has weapons, and he has taken his game to another level. He is playing well.” Fort Hays has one of the nation’s best special teams threats. C.J. Lovett has averaged 38.8 yards on nine punt returns and 28.2 yards on 17 kickoff returns. He’s returned three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. The Tigers lead the nation with their 32.1 punt return average, but the Lions haven’t spent any extra time on special teams this week. 
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