Southern wants revenge for loss
By Philip Martin

Sports Editor

Heading into the MIAA conference opener, the Missouri Southern Lions are now undefeated, with a record of 2-0.

After last year s lost to Southwest Baptist, the Lions are now prepared for this season s game.

 It s payback time for us with SBU,  said Bill Cooke, head football coach.  They shocked us a year ago. 

In 2001, the Bearcats were more in sync with each other than the Lions. The Bearcats surprised the Lions with their speed.

This year, the Lions have a whole new game plan against SBU. Cooke said the defense is going to strip the ball from the other team and try not to get beat deep. The team will be playing its defense more solidly, using the nickel-and-dime positions to attack the opponent s offense.

 They have this kid named Whitley, he s a little bitty kid,  Cooke said.  His feet don t touch the ground when he runs. 

He said with Whitley, the defense needs to make sure it doesn t create a hole for him to run through, because Whitley will pass every defensive player. Cooke said SBU has become more of a running team. He said the Bearcats give the illusion they run more than pass.

After SBU s win over Kentucky Wesleyan, it has prepared for running and passing. Cooke said if Southern gets a big win Saturday, it will send a message to the MIAA that  will really wake some people up.  He said within the MIAA, there are four teams in the top 25 AFCA Division II poll. These teams include: Central Missouri, 14th; Missouri Western, 22nd; Northwest Missouri, 7th; and Pittsburg State, 3rd.

 There aren t any pushovers any longer,  Cooke said.  Used to be that you could count on SBU to be a pushover or Washburn or University of Missouri-Rolla. Everybody has raised their level of expectancy. If you want to compete, you have to turn the heat up on your program and do a better job recruiting. 

Cooke said this year s game against SBU will be a  shootout.  Rob Green, assistant head coach, said the Bearcats run a  stunning defense. 

 What they try to do is to disrupt you offensively,  Green said.  They did the same thing last year. 

Green said this year the Lions are better than a year ago. He said SBU and NSU are similar in talent, and this game will be similar to the NSU game.

Steven Trotter, senior free safety, said SBU has  a good receiver core,  and that the Lions are going to try and  not give up any big plays.  Trotter said with the Bearcats  ability to both run the ball and pass, the defense doesn t know what to expect. It therefore must prepare for different plays the Bearcats might pull.

Josh Chapman, senior quarterback, said the next two home games are critical because the team would like to go into the game against PSU with a 4-0 record.

 When the smoke clears, you ll see that the better team will win,  Cooke said.