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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - Adam Hinspeter threw for a school record 422 yards and tied another school record with five touchdowns as the Missouri Southern football team defeated visiting Harding, 45-31 in the Lions season opener. The win is the fifth season opening win in a row for Southern. Southern (1-0) scored the game's first points after Jared Brawner recovered a Harding fumble forced by David Benham. Hinspeter promptly hooked up with Mark Henderson on a 14 yard touchdown pass. Harding (0-1) tied the game on its next possession when Jeremy Holt rushed for a four-yard score. Brian Malette connected on a 44 yard field goal just three minutes into the second quarter to put the Lions back on top for good. Hinspeter hooked up with Henderson again on the Lions' next possession, this time for 35 yards, putting Southern up 17-7. Hinspeter picked up touchdown number three when he hit Chris Bingham with a three yard pass to put the Lions up 24-7. Harding added a 20-yard David Knighton touchdown pass with 54 seconds left in the half to make the halftime score 24-14. Harding added a 22 yard field goal to cut the lead to 24-17 at the start of the third quarter, but that would be as close as the Bisons would get. Hinspeter hooked up with Daniel Thompson for Thompson's first career touchdown and Ronnell Newman added a three yard rush for pay dirt to give the Lions a 38-24 lead at the end of the third quarter. Hinspeter then hooked up with Henderson for the third time, this time a 44 yard catch for the Lions' final score. The Lions had sacks from Jarius Jarvis and David Benham on Harding's final possession. The Lions had 551 yards of total offense tonight with Hinspeter accounting for 422 of that through the air. Hinspeter's 422 yards passing is the most since Nathan Emert threw for 419 in 2005 against Bacone. His five touchdowns ties a school record with Matt Cook (Truman 1993). Henderson had 228 yards on nine catches with three touchdowns. He also added a 22 yard rush on an end around. Renard Johnson and Newman rushed for 53 and 42 yards, respectively. Johnny Johnson had 83 yards on six catches, while Thompson had 54 yards on four catches with a touchdown. The Lions' special teams knew they needed to step up their game this season and step it up they did tonight. Ian Harrison and Hinspeter combined for five punts for an average of 41.4 yards with two inside the 20. Malette was perfect with five extra points and one field goal. The Southern defense showed up strong again, forcing two turnovers and recording three sacks on the night. Jared Brawner had nine tackles, a pass break up and a fumble recovery. Skyler Vandiver had seven solo tackles and a break up, while Justin Cowper had seven tackles. Benham, Jarvis and Keith Wyatt all had a sack. Corderial Collier picked up an interception, while Benham forced a fumble. The Lions will have a quick turn around this week when they play host to Haskell at 6 pm on Thursday, September 4 at Hughes Stadium. |