GAME UPDATE: Missouri Southern 42, ESU 19 — FINAL
Hornets can't stop Lions offense in 2nd consecutive loss
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 05:53 p.m., September 29, 2007
Updated 08:36 p.m., September 29, 2007
Missouri Southern needed only 2 minutes, 4 seconds to put together its first scoring drive.
The Lions went 58 yards on five plays, and running back Renard Johnson capped the drive with a 37-yard touchdown run down the left sideline.
Brian Malette's extra point made it 7-0 Southern.
After an ESU punt, the Lions moved with ease down the field for their second touchdown drive.
Southern went 76 yards on seven plays, with Alley Broussard finishing the possession with a 2-yard TD run.
Malette's PAT pushed the advantage to 14-0.
After the teams traded punts, ESU put together its own scoring drive, converting on two crucial fourth-and-1s.
Lucas Sullivan picked up a first down by inches on a 4th-and-1 run at the MSSU 42, and later Seville Ko leapt over the pile on a 4th-and-goal from the 1 for ESU's first TD.
Wayne Gleason's kick cut the Southern lead to 14-7
Southern responded with a touchdown on its next drive, converting on a crucial 4th-and-1 of its own.
On fourth down from the ESU 40, Broussard ran around the left side for a 40-yard TD run, breaking two ESU tackles along the way.
The point-after made it 21-7.
The Lions added one more scoring drive at the end of the half, going 76 yards. The key play came on a 3rd-and-14, as Adam Hinspeter connected with Isaac Norman for a 46-yard pass to the ESU 4.
Three plays later, Hinspeter hit Bado for a 4-yard TD with 21 seconds left in the half.
The PAT made it 28-7, which became the halftime score.
At halftime, the ESU defense allowed 305 yards. Southern quarterback Adam Hinspeter was 20-of-22 for 174 yards. He completed his first 16 passes, which was two short of an MIAA record.
ESU took its first drive of the second half 58 yards, but Gleason missed a 27-yard field goal.
On the ensuing Southern possession, Kaden Adams sacked Hinspeter, forcing a fumble. ESU's David Diener recovered it on the Southern 11.
Two plays later, Sloan El found tight end Paul Nichols for a 13-yard TD on a play-action pass.
There was a bad snap on the point-after, keeping the score at 28-13.
Johnson broke off a 51-yard run to put Southern at the ESU 11, but the Hornets defense forced a Lions' 22-yard field goal attempt.
Jake Richter came around the left end to block the kick attempt, keeping ESU within two possessions.
Following an ESU punt, Southern added to its lead.
The Lions went 72 yards on nine plays, with Norman catching the 5-yard touchdown pass.
The PAT made the score 35-13 with 12:49 left in the game.
On the next ESU play, Sloan El threw an interception to MSSU's Corderial Collier.
Three plays later, Hinspeter's 17-yard TD pass to Korie Henry added to the Lions' lead.
The kick made it 42-13.
Justin Wieser took advantage of his first playing time on the next ESU possession.
The sophomore running back busted runs of 29 and 9 yards before scoring on a 29-yard TD scamper.
Sloan El was sacked on the two-point conversion, keeping the score at 42-19.
The Hornets (3-2, 1-2 MIAA) allowed 477 yards overall, including 210 on the ground.
Hinspeter finished 28-of-33 for for 267 yards and three TDs. Johnson added 20 carries for 148 yards, while Broussard had five carries for 86 yards and two TDs.
estatealum (anonymous) says...
here we go again....
October 1, 2007 at 9:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hornetfan1 (anonymous) says...
Why don't you give the team a chance instead of already throwing the towel in! These guys have a lot to overcome. I say instead of being so negative, you go to the game and actually cheer and yell for the Hornets. They need some encouragement on that field from the very beginning!!
October 1, 2007 at 2:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )