FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 30, 2007

Lions Rack Up 587 Yards In 51-0 Win At Haskell

Box Score

Lawrence, Kan. - The Missouri Southern football team scored 51 points over the first three quarters and defeated Haskell University 51-0 tonight in Lawrence. The win marked the 200th victory in the history of the program and was the first time Southern has shut out an opponent since 2002, when the Lions defeated Greenville, 63-0 in the season opener.

The Lions (1-0) took the opening drive of the game and and went 57 yards on six plays resulting in a 28 yard field goal from Brian Malette. Southern then brought out the defense and in Haskell's first possession, Elbert Johnson and David Benham stopped Haskell running back Quentin Haynes twice for a loss, forcing the Indians (0-1) to punt the ball.

Southern went to the ground for the next drive. Renard Johnson had back-to-back carries for 16 and 14 yards, followed by three rushes by Ronnell Newman totaling 35 yards, before fullback Anthon Aiono hurdled his way into the end zone for a 1 yard touchdown. The score for Aiono was the first of his career and was one of six Southern touchdowns on the night that were the first career touchdowns for those specific individuals.

Neither team would score the rest of the first quarter, but with 10:38 of the second, Toderick Hunt went in from five and gave the Lions a 17-0 lead.

The Lions defense came up strong again on the very next possession and on the first play from scrimmage, Justin Cowper came in on a blitz and forced a hurried pass from Victor Ramos allowing Jordan Patton to pick it off for the first of three Lions interceptions on the night.

Southern would waste no time to score again and facing a third and eight, Adam Hinspeter hooked up with Tony Edwards for a 62 yard touchdown pass putting the Lions up 24-0. Renard Johnson added a six yard TD run, the first of his career, while Johnny Johnson added his first career TD reception with a five yard grab to put the Lions up 37-0 at the half.

Quarterback Roland Thompson started the second half for the Lions getting his first taste of collegiate action and wasted no time as in his second series, the New Orleans native hooked up with Jeremiah Jones for the first of two TD passes on the night, hitting the freshman for an eight yard score with 7:31 left in the third. The two hooked up again with 3:15 left in the third, this time for a 38 yard TD score.

Southern out-gained Haskell 587-121 on the night and forced three turnovers. The Lions had 27 first downs to Haskell's seven, two of which came via Southern penalties. Southern scored 6-7 times in the red zone tonight.

Renard Johnson rushed for 148 yards on eight carries, including a long of 44 for an average of 18.5 per touch. He scored once. Hunt carried the ball 19 times for 109 yards and a score, while Ronnell Newman picked up 73 yards on six carries. Hinspeter was 9-17 for 110 yards and two TD's, while Thompson was 6-7 for 80 yards and two TD's in the second half.

Freshman Jacob Kirksey led the Lions with six tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble for a loss of seven yards. Elbert Johnson had five tackles, including two for a loss and a pass breakup, while Jordan Patton and Kellen Anderson each picked up an interception.

The Lions rushed for 397 yards as a team tonight, working in four different backs and averaging 8.8 yards per carry.

The Lions will now prepare for Harding University as the Bisons will come to Hughes Stadium Saturday, September 8 for a 6 pm kickoff. Harding came from behind tonight at home to defeat visiting Southwest Baptist, 43-40.