Lions beat Truman-Host Northwest Saturday

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. -- Robert Spinks capped off John Ware`s initial visit to Kirksville as an opposing coach and the last scoring attempt for the Truman Bulldogs. Spinks, an MSSU senior cornerback, recovered a Jerard Leverson fumble, forced by freshman defensive lineman Adrian Williams, in the end zone then raced 100 yards to paydirt for a 14-point swing late in the game and a 30-20 Missouri Southern victory at Truman State University, where Ware spent the last 19 years as a coach. The win marked the first ever MSSU win in Kirksville and snapped a six-game losing streak the Bulldogs. Leading up to the fumble return, a Missouri Southern record, Truman was threatening to cash in on a second fourth-quarter turnover by the Lions (4-2, 3-1 MIAA). After an interception thrown by Nathan Emert, the Bulldogs took over at the Southern 24 and advanced to the MSSU 3 after a pass interference call. Leverson carried three straight times following the penalty, but on the last Leverson rush, he attempted leap into the end zone and was stripped by Spinks. It marked the third defensive touchdown for Spinks in the Lions` last 11 games. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Truman (0-6, 0-4) closed the gap to 23-20 by capitalizing on a Wentric Williams fumble at the Southern 41. The Bulldogs drove 39 yards and capped the drive with 2-yard run from Leverson. Southern had just 91 total yards in the second half after holding a 13-point lead at halftime. The Lions` third series of the game resulted in a 7-0 lead after a 13-yard scoring pass from Emert to senior DeMarcus Mathes. The seven-play, 39-yard drive was set up by a 39-yard punt return from Mathes and included three Williams carries for 19 yards. Truman would make it 7-3 after Jeff Amundson returned the ensuing kickoff to midfield. Amundson, who finished with 18 receptions for 175 yards, also caught three balls for 25 yards on the drive that culminated in Mark Kamphoefner`s 36-yard field goal. The Lions` longest scoring drive of the day would follow, as the team went 69 yards in eight plays. Senior Cody Hilburn and Dustin Bromley had 15 and 12-yard receptions, respectively. Then Emert hit junior Tedaryl Mason with a 3-yard scoring pass that made it 13-3 after Brandon Hawkins missed the PAT. Hawkins kicked a career-long 39-yard field goal with six seconds to play in the first half to make it 16-3. Southern led 16-6 in the third quarter when Wentric Williams scored on a 3-yard run to make it 23-6. The Bulldogs then scored the first 14 points of the fourth quarter, including a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jake Czeschin to A.J. Weber and Leverson`s 2-yard run. Czeschin completed 41-of-60 passes on the day for 374 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. The Lions` quarterback, Emert, had a season-low 217 yards on 24-of-38 passing. Williams finished with 103 rushing yards on 26 carries. Mathes was the top Southern receiver with nine grabs for 103 yards. Defensively, Blake Martin led MSSU with 13 tackles (10 solo) and Joe Bettasso added 10 stops, including a sack and another tackle for loss. Jordan Chapman and Jake Long had interceptions. Chapman`s pick came with the Bulldogs threatening in the second quarter, at the MSSU 2. Southern continues MIAA play on Saturday (Oct. 9) when it hosts No. 5 Northwest Missouri State in a 6 p.m. game at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Courtesy: mssu.edu