ESU loses at Southern
By C.J. Moore
Originally published 07:32 p.m., September 19, 2009
Updated 10:01 p.m., September 19, 2009
JOPLIN, MO. —Andre Sloan El followed up the best performance of his career with one of his worst on Saturday at Missouri Southern.
Sloan El threw five interceptions and completed only 16-of-42 passes for 56 yards. Missouri Southern turned two of those interceptions into touchdowns and ran away from ESU for a 34-13 win.
The ESU offense struggled to move the ball in the first three quarters, the one exception a 46-yard TD run by Kevin Smart.
The running game didn’t do much else. La’Darrian Page, who was second in the MIAA coming into the game, did not play in the first half because of an injured knee and finished with only five yards on three carries.
The Lions jumped out to a 14-0 lead when they followed their first touchdown with another touchdown following Sloan El’s second interception.
Sloan El’s first two interceptions were not his fault, both going in and out of a receiver’s hands and ricocheting right to a Southern defensive back.
The other three interceptions were all on Sloan El.
Backup quarterback Tyler Eckenrode came in for the final series and completed 3-of-5 passes for 41 yards, and finished with an interception trying to throw the ball deep into the end zone.
The six interceptions tied a school record for the Hornets.
Missouri Southern had only five interceptions all of last season and had just one in 2009.
Unlike Emporia State, the Missouri Southern offense had a balanced attack, racking up 170 rushing yards, and quarterback Collin Howard threw for 204 yards and four touchdowns.
Landon Zerkel caught touchdown passes of 40 and 22 yards and had six passes receptions for 135 yards. Daniel Thompson caught the other two TDs.
The Hornets final touchdown came early in the fourth quarter, a four-yard TD pass from Sloan El to Danny McEvoy on fourth and goal. Coach Garin Higgins went for it four times on fourth down — converting only one.
Emporia State dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the MIAA. Missouri Southern improved to 1-2 and 1-1 in the MIAA.
For complete coverage of Saturday’s game, check Monday’s Gazette.
footballeyes (anonymous) says...
Somebody posted earlier that maybe we'll use more than one receiver now that Rampy is out- well, it looks like we found them. Too bad coach forgot to tell Sloan El which jersey his team wears.
September 19, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BIGBYRD (anonymous) says...
They ran their big back outside, and wow, 45 yards and a TD!! AND HE DOES NOT GET ANOTHER CARRY?!?!?!
September 21, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mgdarren (anonymous) says...
I was at the game, and #25 looked good inside & outside. I too was baffled that he only touched the ball 4 times.
September 21, 2009 at 10:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )