By Jim Henry

jhenry@joplinglobe.com

One week ago, Missouri Southern traveled to Missouri Western and knocked off the No. 12 Griffons 35-34, thanks to a huge fourth-quarter comeback.

The Lions, who have won two straight MIAA games for the first time in two years, face a similar task today at No. 19 Central Missouri.

“It would be another great feeling, to beat a top-20 team at their place,” said wide receiver Daniel Thompson, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass with 12 seconds left last week. “We're preparing very hard for this week. We know what we are capable of doing after last week.”

“Any time you go on the road in the MIAA and get a win, that's exciting,” said linebacker Dusty Bratzler, who had 15 tackles a week ago. “We're preparing this week like every week. We're not going to quit, we're going to fight, that's the way we play every week.

“Like I told people in the offseason, there's something different about this team. We might not have the most talent out there, but we work together as a team. We're not going to give up on each other. Every single person out there trusts each other. Before, I believe when people got hurt, you didn't really trust the guy going in, but now if you're in the game, you're expected to step up, and people are going to be there to help you, and you carry your own weight.”

“We have an excellent challenge this week,” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said. “We have a trip to Warrensburg to play another top-20 team. Our guys have responded to the challenge in terms of getting prepared.”

Like the Lions, the Mules are coming off a big road victory. Central Missouri tallied 35 second-half points and upended Nebraska-Omaha 49-31, handing the Mavericks their first home loss this season.

The Mules had 387 total yards compared to UNO's 515, but Central Missouri returned an interception and a last-minute onside kick for touchdowns.

Quarterback Eric Czerniewski hit 15-of-27 passes for 254 yards, and his 28-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter was the 59th of his career, most in school history. A junior, Czerniewski has completed 63 percent of his passes and thrown for 2,249 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, including three last week.

Czerniewski is similar to Missouri Western QB Drew Newhart, who passed for a career-best 383 yards last week.

“Newhart is uncanny accurate, and Eric gets on some of those runs at Central,” Tatum said. “He's a little bit more streaky than Newhart, but man, you catch him on a really 'on' day, he's as good as anyone in the country. The issue with him has been a little bit of inconsistency, but I think he's playing very well this season.”

The Mules average 412 yards and 34.8 points per game, ranking fourth in the conference in scoring. The defense has allowed 398 yards a game (No. 7 in MIAA) but only 20.6 points, which is second in the league. Central Missouri's opponents have scored only 15 touchdowns on 28 trips into the red zone.

Roland Thompson makes his fifth consecutive start at quarterback for the Lions. His three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter last week were one less than he had in the previous 15 quarters. He's thrown for 749 yards in four games with seven TDs and 10 interceptions.

“He has to cut back on his turnovers,” Tatum said. “That has killed us. We can't beat Central with him turning the ball over. With him ... not taking care of the ball, that has to stop. We can't turn the ball over four times and have a chance.”

Tatum praised the Mules' kicking game, with punter Jordan Hofer (40.0 average) and kicker Aaron Jamieson (37-39 PAT, 6-7 FG) ranking among the league leaders. Jamieson is a freshman from Cassville.

Missouri Southern's kicking game improved dramatically the last two games after Andrew Gassen missed two games with a concussion.

“We've been very proud to have Andrew back fresh,” Tatum said. “His leg is lively right now. The kid has a ton of talent, and it's nice to see it finally help us win a couple of games.”