Lions lose at Harding

Turnovers plague Lions in loss at Harding Box Score SEARCY, Ark. -- Three first-half turnovers led to a 31-7 halftime deficit and the Harding Bisons upended the Missouri Southern Lions 45-27 Saturday (Sept. 3) at First Security Stadium. In a near complete reversal from the previous week, when the Lions were plus-four in the turnover battle in a victory at Ouachita Baptist, Southern was minus-three in turnovers this week. The Bisons turned the first three MSSU turnovers into 21 points and never looked back. Southern`s offense finally got untracked in the fourth quarter, as the Lions came from 45-7 down to pull to within the final 18-point margin. Redshirt freshman Ricky Hughes returned a kickoff 100 yards early in the fourth to trim the Bisons lead to 45-14. Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Hinspeter rushed for one TD and passed for another in the final frame. Hinspeter, splitting time with sophomore starter Nathan Emert, was 19-of-21 for 249 yards and two touchdowns, both to sophomore Colin Bado. In two games, Hinspeter has missed on only four passes, completing 35-of-39 for 419 yards and three scores. Early in the game, Harding took a 7-0 lead after a botched punt snap in the Lions endzone went from a probable safety to a Bisons TD when punter Brandon Hawkins fumbled while being tackled. Harding also capitalized with seven points after Hinspeter fumbled while attempting to pass and got seven more after a 38-yard interception return to the MSSU 5. The Lions had just 34 rushing yards in 26 carries, while the Bisons gained 175 on 44 attempts. Southern outgained HU 326-311, thanks to a 292-136 bulge in passing yards. Bado caught five passes for 66 yards to lead the MSSU receivers. Defensively, senior Atiba Bradley had nine tackles (five solo). The Lions (1-1) return to action on Saturday (Sept. 10) when they host the Southwest Baptist Bearcats (1-1) at 6 p.m. in the MIAA opener for both squads.