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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southern (4-4, 2-4 MIAA) went down 14-0 after two early touchdown passes from Central quarterback Toby Korrodi. The Lions took the ball and on the first possession of the second quarter, Adam Hinspeter hit Isaac Norman for an eight-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead in half. Southern forced a five-play drive and a punt from UCM on its next possession and on a third and ten from the Central one-yard line, linebacker Johnny Berry stripped the ball and Devin Rutledge scrambled for the loose ball, picking it up in the endzone to tie the game. The touchdown was the first for Rutledge at Southern. The game was tied going into the half. Central (4-4, 2-4 MIAA) had 177 passing yards on 11-14 completions in the half from Korrodi. The senior started the game with six-straight passes, running his streak to 23 consecutive, which set a new MIAA record. Southern came out and the defense started right up, forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff and the Lions recovered on the Central four-yard line. Southern settled for a 20-yard field goal from Brian Malette and went on top, 17-14. Korrodi added a ten-yard touchdown pass to Mike Spiegel to put the Mules up 20-17, capping off a six-play, 64-yard drive. The extra point was missed. As was the story of the night, Southern's defense once again forced a turnover and after a completed pass, Skyler VanDiver forced the fumble and Mark Watson picked it up, rumbling to the Central four-yard line. Hinspeter completed the drive with a TD pass to Jonathon Terry, putting the Lions up 24-20. After a Mule four and out, Southern's offense started from the Central 45 and drove the length with a Hinspeter touchdown pass to Noah Harding, putting the Lions up 31-10. The catch capped off an eight play, 45 yard drive. The Mules scored on their next possession, but the two-point attempt failed and the score stood at 31-26. That proved to be the final tally, as Southern held the Central offense scoreless for the final 6:31. Hinspeter finished the game with 234 yards and three touchdowns on 28-34 passing. Colin Bado came into the game with 54 receptions on the year and added 11 for 125 yards. That puts him four shy of tying the school record for receptions in a season (69). He now sits in second place all-time for receptions in a career with 143, surpassing Heath Helsel, who played from 1988-1991. He is 15 from tying the all-time mark held by Rod Smith. Norman, Terry and Harding all caught a TD pass, with Harding picking up 45 yards. Malette was a perfect 1-1 in field goals and continued his streak of consecutive extra-points going 4-4 on the day. On the season, he is a perfect 28-28. Kellen Anderson, Moses Manga and Kyle Mayden all had eight tackles with Anderson picking up 1.5 for a loss of five. Manga had three pass breakups. Rutledge had seven tackles, including one for a loss, one fumble recovery and a breakup. Watson had a fumble recovery and an interception, while Terrance Scott had one fumble recovery. Berry and VanDiver both forced a fumble. Central out-gained the Lions 412-295, but was just 2-8 on third down conversions and 2-4 on fourth down tries. Southern will be back on the road next week traveling to Fort Hays State for a 2 p.m. start.
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