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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team came into the game as the nation's second rated passing defense, allowing just over 120 yards per game, but Central Missouri put up 361 yards in the air and defeated the Lions, 47-14 today in front of more than 2,700 fans at Hughes Stadium. Southern (4-4, 2-4 MIAA) fell behind 23-0 mid way through the second quarter before redshirt freshman quarterback Colin Howard hooked up with Mark Henderson for a seven yard touchdown score. It was Howard's first career passing touchdown. Central (6-2, 4-2 MIAA) scored early and quick as all four scoring drives were 2:38 or shorter, including two that were less than 15 seconds. The Mules went up 10-0 after a 28 yard field goal from Mark Starks in the second quarter and Starks came through on the ensuing kickoff as Central executed a perfect onside kick. The Mules recovered and quarterback Eric Czernewski hooked up with Tim Richmond for a 47 yard score to push the lead to 17-0. Southern attempted a fake punt on its next drive, but couldn't get the first down and Czernewski this time found Sean Thorton on the first play of the drive for a 48 yard passing score. The Mules took a 23-7 lead into the locker room at the half. The Mules added a field goal and a two yard rush from Glenn Milner to go up 40-7 in the fourth quarter. Southern forced Central to a punting situation early in the fourth, but Jordan Hofer's punt was short and caught a Southern player in the back and the Mules recovered on their own 45 yard line. Central added a 37 yard touchdown pass from Tommy Corwin to Thorton to go up 47-7 at that point. The Lions responded on their next drive when Howard and Henderson hooked up for their second touchdown pass of the day, this time a 47 yarder to the left side of the end zone. Central came into the game averaging 135 yards on the ground per game, but the Lions held the Mules to just 96 on the day. However, it was through the air where Central did its damage putting up 361 yards on the MIAA's best pass defense. Both teams were hampered by penalties as Southern had 11 penalties for 93 yards and Central posted eight for 95. Howard, seeing his first extended action of his career, played the entire second half and went 10-17 in the air for 176 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 70 yards on 19 carries for 3.7 per attempt. Henderson caught five passes for 107 yards and two scores, while Toderick Hunt had 23 carries for 67 yards. Brian Malette converted on both of his extra point attempts. That gives him 27 consecutive this season and he ended last season with 11 consecutive PAT's. The 38 consecutive ties a Missouri Southern career record that he shares with Rick Larrimore. Jared Brawner had a team high nine tackles, including one pass breakup. Justin Cowper had six tackles, while Dusty Bratzler, Skyler Vandiver and Josh Woodard all added five apiece. The Lions will be back in action next Saturday as they play host to Missouri Western with a 2 pm kickoff from Hughes Stadium. |