Missouri Southern Hosts Central Missouri After Lopsided Loss

The Lions turn the page on a 65-3 defeat against No. 7 Northwest Missouri and welcome the Mules to Joplin on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Missouri Southern will play at home this Saturday, facing Central Missouri in a 1 p.m. kickoff. The matchup carries extra significance on campus, as it falls during the school's family weekend, pink game and Hall of Fame game.

The Lions enter with a 1-2 record overall and an 0-1 mark in the MIAA. Last weekend brought a 65-3 defeat at the hands of No. 7 Northwest Missouri, a game in which Southern produced just eight rushing yards and eight first downs. Sophomore kicker Asher Huffman accounted for the team's lone points on a 34-yard field goal.

Head coach Atiba Bradley said the loss to a highly ranked conference foe provided lessons despite the difficult final score, and he expects his players to be energized playing in front of their home fans. He added that the team views the performance as short of its best and intends to respond.

Redshirt senior wide receiver David Bethune emphasized staying positive, noting plenty of games remain on the schedule. He said the group aims to communicate better on the field and improve with each day of practice.