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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. - Senior quarterback Adam Hinspeter celebrated Senior Day in style by becoming Missouri Southern's all-time leader in total offense, but the No. 3-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats scored 28 unanswered points in the second half to win 48-24 Saturday afternoon (Nov. 8) at Fred Hughes Stadium. After LaRon Council rushed for a 23 yard touchdown early in the first quarter for a 7-0 NWMSU lead, the Lions' Dez Johnson forced a fumble on the ensuing Bearcat possession to set up a first and goal for the Lions at the Bearcat six-yard line. Hinspeter then hit Daniel Thompson on the next play for a six-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7-7. Hinspeter and Thompson then hooked up again, this time from 41 yards to put Southern up 14-7 with 1:55 left in the first quarter. The Bearcats (10-1, 9-0 MIAA) tacked on a pair of field goals to come within 14-13 at the half. The Lions (4-7, 2-7 MIAA) then picked up right where they left off in the first half when Kellen Anderson blocked a punt that the Lions recovered at the Northwest 31-yard line. The big special teams effort led to a career-best 49-yard field goal from senior kicker Brian Malette that put Southern up 17-13 with 12:05 remaining in the third quarter. After each team forced punts on the next two possessions, it was the Bearcats that took advantage of a mishandled snap that gave them the ball at the Southern 20-yard line. From there, Council scored his second touchdown that gave the Bearcats the lead for good at 20-17 with 7:24 left in the third. The Bearcats then took full advantage of two Southern turnovers and scored on their next four possessions to take total command. Redshirt-freshman quarterback Collin Howard scored from 42 yards out for the Lions' final score of the day with 4:41 left in the game. For the day, Hinspeter was 17-of-36 for 191 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Johnny Johnson led the Lions with nine catches for 105 yards, while Thompson caught four passes for 60 yards and two scores. Council finished the day with four touchdowns and 157 yards on 23 carries for Northwest. He set the single-season school record with 27 touchdowns this season. Junior linebacker Jared Brawner had a career-high 17 tackles for the Lions. Hinspeter concludes his career at Southern as the Lions' all-time leader in completions (842), passing yards (9,016) and total offense (8,881). He also ranks first all-time in the MIAA in completions, third in career passing yards, fourth in total offense and sixth in passing touchdowns. |