FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2009

Lions open up regular season with road game at Harding

Complete Game Notes

Joplin, Mo. - The Missouri Southern football team will get the 2009 season kicked off when the Lions travel to Searcy, Ark. this Saturday to take on Harding University in the 2009 season opener. Game time is slated to begin at 6 pm and can be heard live on 1230 am the talker or online at www.mssu.edu/athletics by clicking on the listen live link at the top of the page.

The Lions were picked to finish seventh in both the preseason MIAA coaches and media polls earlier this month and finished in a tie for eighth place a season ago, going 4-7 overall. Harding was picked to finish ninth in the 11-team Gulf South Conference and is coming off of a 2-9 2008 season.

Southern returns eight starters on offense and nine on defense from a season ago. Seniors Johnny Johnson, Toderick Hunt and Isaac Norman headline the eight starters returning on the offensive side of the ball. Johnson will make a move to the offensive backfield this season as he will serve time as a slot back. Senior Chris Norris and sophomore Ian Saxton return on the offensive line and junior fullback Anthon Aiono returns to the starting lineup after missing last season with a knee injury. Tight ends Korie Henry and Scott Clipp also return.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions return nine players, including senior preseason All-American linebacker Jared Brawner. Brawner led the MIAA in tackles last season and was a first team All-MIAA pick, as well as being named All-Region and All-American. Juniors Justin Cowper and Corderial Collier and senior Skyler Vandiver return in the defensive backfield, while the Lions return three starters on the defensive line in seniors David Benham and Jairius Jarvis, as well as junior Nick Teer. Juniors Josh Woodard and Dusty Bratzler return to give the Lions all three starting linebackers from a season ago.