The Chart Online

Lions receive answers from wind
Philip Martin

Sports Editor

How many more passes must Josh Chapman throw, how many more rushes must he run? The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.

With only 86 more rushing yards left, Chapman, senior quarterback, can become the only quarterback in NCAA Division II history to pass for 5,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in a career. Chapman also only needs 182 yards for Missouri Southern s all time total offense for a single season. This will pass the previous record holder, Matt Cook, who had 2,768 yards in 1991.

With an upcoming game against Emporia State, Chapman has the capability of picking up those yards and breaking more school records. Chapman said that over the past 1,422 plays, or any of the plays this season, he can t think of one that stands out in his mind. He said after he graduates in May, he hopes he gets picked up by the NFL or at least get to play some more football. He said he doesn t care what position he plays as long as he gets to play again. Bill Cooke, head football coach, said the Houston Texans and the Cleveland Browns have come down and strength tested Chapman.

Cooke said many of the professional football teams like quarterbacks who can scramble as well as throw. Andy Schneider, offensive line coach, said the job of the offensive line is to protect Chapman.

When Josh is done in Rolla, it s time to take care of someone else, Schneider said.

He said all nine players on the offensive line will return next year to play.

After losing to Central Missouri, 42-28, and at Homecoming to Missouri Western, 28-7, the Lions are on a mission, Cooke said. He said one of the ways the team can beat Emporia State University is by forcing the opponent to throw. He said when the Hornets lost both times this season they were forced to throw, and that s not their forte.

They (Emporia) don t give up a lot of points defensively, Cooke said. They re well coached.

This game marks the last home game of the year and the last time the BaspoGrass-S surface will be played on. The turf was put down in 1988, and this will be the 71st game played on the turf.

The Lions are 4-3 against Emporia and 7-0 against both Southwest Baptist and Missouri-Rolla on this particular turf. Southern hopes to have a new artificial surface in place for 2003. Cooke said he hopes a win this Saturday will show people Southern needs the turf and will help generate donations.