The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Sports

Discussion

November 1, 2008

Truman converts Lions’ mistakes into rout

Penalties, dropped passes too much for MSSU to overcome

From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Truman State relied on the running game in the first half, then took to the air in the second half as the Bulldogs whipped Missouri Southern 38-7 Saturday afternoon at Stokes Stadium.

The Bulldogs (4-5, 3-5 MIAA) gained 200 yards on the ground while building a 10-0 halftime lead. Quarterback Matt Ticich, who had only two completions for 12 yards in the first two quarters, passed for 138 yards and three scores in the second half as the Bulldogs pulled away.

The Bulldogs matched their season high with 429 yards total offense — 265 rushing and 164 passing.

Anton Bernard rushed for 122 yards on 16 carries, becoming the first Bulldog to post a 100-yard rushing game this season. Ticich finished 11 of 21 through the air for 150 yards and touchdown strikes of 21 yards to Ryan King and two yards to Tyler Fenton in the third quarter and 18 yards to Kendrick Blue early in the fourth period.

Missouri Southern (4-6, 2-6) gained 380 total yards, including 303 yards passing by Adam Hinspeter, who completed 29 of 46 passes but was intercepted three times.

Johnny Johnson caught nine passes for 130 yards, and Isaac Norman, slowed by a knee injury, had seven catches for 80 yards, including a six-yard touchdown reception with 9:17 remaining. Mark Henderson, the Lions’ leading receiver this season, did not make the trip because of a hand injury suffered last week.

After Norman’s touchdown, Brian Malette converted the extra point for his 39th consecutive PAT, breaking the school record he shared the last two weeks with Rick Lairmore. Malette hit his final 11 PATs last season and all 28 this season. Larimore had 38 straight from late in the 1989 season through early 1991.

Missouri Southern inside linebacker Jared Brawner, a Kirksville High School graduate, made a game-high 12 tackles. Defensive back Corderial Collier had 10 tackles, one more than lineman Brandon Williams.

The Lions began their first series in Truman State territory as Fred Smith returned the opening kickoff 49 yards to the 46-yard line. But on second down, Hinspeter was hit as he threw, and Robert Massop made the interception at the 39.

“That one was on our tailback (for missing a block),” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said on his postgame radio show. “Adam got hit under his armpit as he was delivering the ball.

“We had possession on their side of the 50, and two plays later they have the ball. That’s the story of our season. We’re not making the plays and other people are. We have to keep building.”

The Bulldogs turned the takeaway into points as Phil Kenney scored on a 15-yard run, capping a nine-play, 61-yard drive with 10:29 left in the period.

Penalties — eight in the first half and 10 for the game — and dropped passes also played the Lions’ offense.

“They are drive killers,” Tatum said. “We’re not at a point in our program where we can have second-and-20 or third-and-15 and be successful at converting. We have to stay out of those. That’s a major disappointment ... we should not be making those mistakes now.

“With those drops, those are unexplainable to me. The balls were on the money. We have to look them in and make the catch.”

Mickey Masucci’s field goal late in the first period gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead.

The Lions reached the Truman State 27 in the waning seconds of the first half before Matt Burel picked off a Hinspeter pass at the 10.

The Lions conclude their season with a home game next Saturday afternoon against Northwest Missouri State.

Text Only
Sports
Beyond the Box Score
Opinion

Local News

Facebook
Poll

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Yes.
No.
     View Results
Twitter Updates
Follow us on twitter
Follow me on Twitter
National News

NDN Video
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion' Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords 5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La. Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal $25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix