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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southern (3-4, 1-4 MIAA) went down 3-0 on a Western field goal in the first quarter. The Lions opened up the second quarter with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Adam Hinspeter to Isaac Norman, one of two on the day the two would hook up on, giving the Lions a 7-3 lead. Brian Malette connected on a 24 yard field goal attempt to give Southern a 10-3 lead 5:45 left in the half, before a 24 yarder from Western's Dustin Strickler with three minutes left cut the lead to 10-6 at the half. At the half, Southern held a 205-73 advantage in total yards. Hinspeter was 14-19 for 157 yards in the half. Southern looked to go ahead in a big way to start the second half as Johnny Berry forced a fumble on the Western 23 yard line and Devin Rutledge recovered it four minutes into the quarter. The Lions worked the ball to the Western one-yard line, but on three straight possessions, failed to reach the end zone and turned the ball over on downs. Western (6-1, 4-1 MIAA) took over from their own one inch line and on a third and eight, senior running back Jamison Burns broke a few tackles and took the ball and rushed for a school-record, 97 yard touchdown to put the Griffons up 13-10. The Lions answered right back. After a first down pass from Hinspeter to Norman, the two hooked up again, this time for 64 yards as Norman broke a tackle and took it to the house, putting Southern up 17-13. The Griffons cut the lead to one on their next possession when Strickler connected on his third field goal of the game, this time a 38 yard attempt, making the score 17-16, Southern. Southern again drove the ball at will through the Western defense and Malette set up for a field goal attempt from 44 yards, but it was blocked by Western's Jon Miller. However on the ensuing play, Rutledge sacked Western quarterback Matt Landess, forcing a fumble and then recovered the fumble to give the Lions the ball right back on the Western 21. Malette had another chance for a field goal, this time from 38, but the Western defense again broke through the line and blocked the kick as Leon Douglass got a hand on the ball. Neither team would score on their first two possessions and punter Brandon Hawkins kicked the ball to the Western 10 yard line with 2:14 left in the game, giving the Griffons their final attempt to come back. Come back they would, as Western converted four fourth down plays in the drive, which included 18 plays over 2:08 and concluded with a 43 yard touchdown reception to Jarrett Brooks. Hinspeter threw for 310 yards on 26-41 with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked three times. Ronnell Newman ran for 50 yards, while Norman racked up 129 yards and two touchdowns. Colin Bado had 82 yards on 7 receptions. Rutledge had another banner game at defensive end for the Lions. The senior from Coolidge, Arizona had six tackles, including two for a loss, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, three pass break ups, one sack and two quarterback hurries. David Behnam had a sack while Kellen Anderson had three tackles and three passes broken up. Elbert Johnson led the Lions with seven tackles and added on QB hurry. Southern out gained Western 368-335. The Lions held a 20-14 advantage in first downs and held Western to just 188 yards passing. Southern will be back at Hughes Stadium next weekend when they play host to Central Missouri at 2 p.m.
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