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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - Freshman quarterback Colin Howard and junior running back Toderick Hunt rushed for three touchdowns each as the Missouri Southern Lions racked up 404 yards on the ground with eight rushing scores, defeating visiting Haskell, 66-9 tonight at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Southern (2-0) tied a school record with eight rushing touchdowns in the game, matching the previous mark set in 1982 against Evangel. The Lions were also two points from tying the school record for points in a game (1982, Evangel). The Lions' defense set up the first points of the game for the second-straight week when Jordan Patton intercepted the first pass from scrimmage and returned it to the Haskell (0-2) one-yard line. Quarterback Adam Hinspeter then took the ball in with a quarterback sneak to score the Lions' first points. Southern added a two yard rushing touchdown from El Reo Smith, the first of his career, as well as a 29-yard field goal from Brian Malette to end the first quarter with a 17-0 lead. After a 19-yard punt return from Fred Smith to the Southern 33, Hinspeter hooked up with Isaac Norman for a 67-yard strike to give the Lions a 24-0 lead. Hunt picked up the first of his three touchdowns with a five-yard carry to make the score 31-0, before Haskell added its only touchdown of the game with a 67-yard rushing score from Quentin Haynes. Howard and the Lions answered right back and the freshman from Webb City rushed for 30 yards and a score on his first touch of the night, to make the halftime score 38-7. Howard rushed for two more scores in the third before a snap sailed over punter Ian Harrison's head and out of the end zone giving the Indians a safety and made the score 52-9. Hunt added two more rushing touchdowns in the fourth to bring the final score to 66-9. The Lions rushed for 404 yards on the night. They passed the ball just 11 times, but went 7-11 in the air with one score. Hunt ended the night with 21 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Howard had 105 yards on seven carries and three scores, while Smith and Hinspeter added a rushing touchdown each. Malette was perfect on the night with a 29-yard field goal and was 9-9 on point after attempts. The Southern defense limited Haskell to just four first downs on the night, 66 yards rushing and 48 yards passing. They forced four fumbles, recovering one, while forcing the Indians to punt nine times. Marcus Cook led the Lions with six tackles, as 26 different Lions recorded at least one tackle tonight. Patton had an interception, a forced fumble, a pass break up and one quarterback hurry, while Cruz Johnson, Josh Woodard and Jovan Alexander all recorded sacks. The Lions will be back in action on September 13 ad they travel to Pittsburg, Kansas to take on Pittsburg State in the Miners Bowl. Kickoff is slated for 6 pm in Carney Smith Stadium. |