By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Bart Tatum wanted Missouri Southern to exhibit a more productive rushing attack in Saturday night’s 45-31 victory over Harding at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
But he’s not about to argue with the outcome.
“I don’t care if it was negative yards rushing. It was good enough to win,” the Lions’ head coach said. “That’s the pleasing part.”
The Lions and Harding combined for 36 yards rushing — 39 by MSSU, -3 by the Bisons — on 26 running plays in the first half. The Lions added 90 yards on 22 attempts in the second half compared to Harding’s 21 on 10 carries.
Renard Johnson, after picking up 21 yards in the first half, gained 38 in the first 12 minutes of the third quarter before exiting with a hand injury. Ronnell Newman had a 29-yard burst to highlight his 42-yard effort after replacing Johnson, and wide receiver Mark Henderson and backup quarterback Collin Howard gained 22 and 15 yards, respectively, on their only carry.
The Lion defense played pass defense much of the night as Harding’s David Knighton hit 31 of 61 passes for 365 yards. Twenty-three of his completions gained less than 10 yards, including 10 that went for five yards or less.
The Lions provided good pressure both on the rush and in coverage most of the game, finishing with three sacks, one interception and eight pass breakups.
“We’re not used to giving up 30-some points around here, and that’s a good thing,” Tatum said. “I don’t like shootouts. I like it when our defense is playing lights out. Our guys gave a good effort. Harding is a good football team. They are really good on offense ... it’s not like they are slouches.”
Middle linebacker Jared Brawner made a team-high nine tackles, and Skyler Vandiver and Justin Cowper had seven stops apiece in the secondary.
Special teams
The kicking game — all phases — was a concern entering the season, but against Harding:
• the Lions averaged 41.4 yards on four punts and allowed zero yards on punt returns;
• Fred Smith averaged 11.0 yards on six punt returns, including a 15-yarder and 33-yarder that set up touchdowns.
• Jordan Patton returned a kickoff 47 yards;
• linebacker Rudy Mascaro blocked a 41-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter.
“We did do some good things on the special teams, and that gives us momentum,” Tatum said. “It gives us a little confidence.
“Our punter (Ian Harrison), this is just his second year, and we have two new deep snappers. This was a game that was tight, and there was pressure on them. They pretty much handled it. It’s something we can build on.”
Quick hitters
• Adam HInspeter’s 422 passing yards raised his career total to 7,595 yards, moving him into third place on the MIAA’s career list. His 26 completions gave him 701 for his career, second in league history behind Kasey Waterman’s 730.
• Missouri Southern’s 551 yards total offense was its most against an NCAA Division II opponent since gaining 601 yards in a 40-33 home loss against Central Missouri on Sept. 18, 2004.
• The Lions won their season opener for the fifth straight year while Harding lost its opener for the first time since 2001.
• MIAA teams went 6-1 in season debuts, with the only loss by preseason favorite Northwest Missouri State. The No. 3-ranked Bearcats lost at home to No. 8 Abilene Christian 44-27 as ACU quarterback Billy Malone threw for 293 yards and four touchdowns. Truman State’s opener against Missouri S&T; was postponed and may be rescheduled later this season, and Nebraska-Omaha does not open its season until this weekend.
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