JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern scored four touchdowns in a span of about 13 minutes – including a 21-point third quarter – as the Lions pulled away for a 42-0 win over Northeastern State on Saturday afternoon at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
Down 7-0, NSU (0-4, 0-4 MIAA) was driving to potentially tie the score midway through the second quarter when Everett Hawkins intercepted
Ben Ward at the Missouri Southern 6-yard line. The Lions (3-1, 3-1) launched a 15-play, 94-yard scoring drive that took 7:43 off the clock and Luke Sampson hit Akeem Gilmore on an 18-yard touchdown pass with :06 left in the half, making it 14-0.
Things snowballed from there.
Missouri Southern extended to a 21-0 lead on a 7-yard pass from Sampson to JarMichael Cooper at the 10:28 mark of the third quarter. Northeastern State failed to cover the ensuing pooch kickoff, allowing the Lions to take over at the NSU 21. Four plays later, Sampson scored on a 7-yard run.
Ward absorbed a huge hit and fumbled on the RiverHawks' next possession and Jermaine Young Jr. picked up the loose football and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, making it 35-0 with 6:28 still left in the third quarter.
Grant Elerick replaced Ward at quarterback after that and finished the game. The duo combined to complete 10 of 20 passes for 30 yards.
Blake May carried 15 times for 51 yards, leading a rushing attack that netted 81 yards. May also was NSU's top receiver, with four catches for 13 yards.
Dalton Crumbly paced NSU's defense with seven tackles, while fellow linebacker
Cam'Ron Holmes had six, including four solo stops. All five of defensive back
Michael Moton's tackles were of the solo variety for the RiverHawks, who were seeking their second straight win in Joplin, having beaten Missouri Southern in 2021.
The win allowed Missouri Southern to even its all-time series against NSU at 13-13. Sampson finished 16 of 22 passing for 244 yards and the two touchdowns and added 28 yards rushing and one score. The Lions had 433 yards of offense off 66 plays while limiting NSU to only 47 snaps.
Traditional MIAA and NCAA Division II power Pittsburg State (Kan.) will visit NSU next Saturday for a 2 p.m. game at Gable Field at Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah, Okla. Homecoming will be celebrated at NSU that day.
