FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2007

Hinspeter throws for three touchdowns and Lions defeat visiting Emporia State, 42-19

Box Score

Joplin, Mo. - Adam Hinspeter threw for 267 yards on 28-33 passing and had three touchdowns as the Missouri Southern football team defeated the visiting Emporia State Hornets 42-19 tonight at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

Southern (4-1, 2-1) move to 4-1 for the first time since the 2002 season. The Lions scored early and often in the first quarter collecting touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. Renard Johnson rushed for a 37 yard score for the Lions first points, while Alley Brousard rushed for 46 yards on four carries including a two yard score on the second drive to put Southern up 14-0.

Emporia (3-2, 1-2) answered back and just three seconds into the second quarter, Seville Ko scampered in for a one yard score to cut the lead in half.

Broussard then put the Lions up 21-7 when he broke open for a 40 yard score on a fourth and one with just under three minutes remaining in the half. The Lions' defense came up strong on the next drive. The Hornets had marched the ball to the Southern 24 yard line but the defense forced a fourth and six, which ESU went for. An Andre Sloan El pass was incomplete turning the ball over on downs.

With 1:25 left in the half, the Lions were facing a third and 16 with 29 seconds left on the clock, but Hinspeter hooked up with Isaac Norman for a 46 yard pass to the ESU nine yard line. An ESU face mask penalty gave the Lions five more yards, and Hinspeter found Colin Bado in the endzone to make the halftime score 28-7.

Hinspeter was 20-22 in the first half and at one time had completed his first 16 passes in a row, just two off the MIAA record.

ESU had the only score of the third quarter when Sloan El hit Paul Nichols for a 12 yard touchdown pass. The Hornets, however, botched the snap on the extra point and the score stood 28-13.

The Lions added two more touchdown passes from Hinspeter in the fourth quarter, a five yard catch for Norman and a 17 yard score to tight end Korie Henry. A late 29 yard TD rush from the Hornets' Justin Weiser made the final score 42-19 after the two point conversion failed.

The Lions gained 210 yards on the ground tonight led by 149 from Renard Johnson. Broussard had five carries for 86 yards, while Ronnell Newman had 14 yards late for Southern. Hinspeter threw for three touchdowns and 267 yards and was 28-33 for an 84 percent completion percentage. He holds the school record, which he set when he was 19-20 in his first collegiate game against Harding two years ago.

Bado caught nine passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Norman had 7 grabs for 97 yards and a score. Johnny Johnson had five catches for 35 yards, while Henry had two for 23 and a TD.

Antwan Dyer led the Lions' defensive attack with 11 tackles, eight solo and one for a loss. Jared Brawner, the reigning MIAA Defensive Player of the Week, had 10 tackles. Corderial Collier had an interception return for 19 yards, while Keith Wyatt picked up a sack.

The Lions were 10 of 17 on third down conversions, while the defense held ESU to just three of 14. Southern was 4-5 in the red zone and a perfect 1-1 on fourth down conversions, with the one play being the 40 yard Broussard touchdown run.

Southern will be back in action next week when the Lions travel to Topeka, Kansas to take on the Washburn Ichabods. Kick off is slated for 1 pm.