SOUTHERN`S EFFORT COMES UP SHORT

Central Missouri holds off Lions, 27-24 Box Score WARRENSBURG, Mo. -- Missouri Southern`s fourth-quarter comeback fell just short Saturday (Oct. 15), as Central Missouri State held on for a 27-24 victory over the Lions at Walton Stadium. The Lions faced a 27-16 deficit entering the fourth quarter. But midway through the period, redshirt freshman Adam Hinspeter connected with senior Dustin Bromley for a 17-yard touchdown pass, Hinspeter`s third scoring pass of the day. Freshman kicker Shane McBride ran in the two-point conversion to trim the deficit to three points. The Lions defense, limiting CMSU to 140 second-half yards, including only 32 on the ground, stopped the Mules on their next possession. However, Southern could do nothing with its next opportunity and punted the ball away. Again, Southern`s defense came up with a stop and the Lions took over at the Mules 43. On third-and-14 from the CMSU 47, Hinspeter threw for 13 yards to senior Tedaryl Mason. The clock, though, continued to run. Southern snapped the ball as the final gun sounded and Hinspeter`s throw into the end zone, in the direction of Mason, was batted down by Central`s Ricky Armstrong. The Lions surprised Central early, as the Mules fumbled away the opening kickoff. The Lions capitalized with a 40-yard McBride field goal, MSSU`s longest since 1999. Central fumbled again on the ensuing kick and this time the Lions needed only one play to cash in, as Hinspeter connected with Bromley for a 19-yard scoring pass. The Mules trimmed the lead to 10-7 with 4:33 gone in the first quarter as quarterback Toby Korrodi hit tight end Ted Maxwell on a 43-yard strike. It was the first of four touchdown passes on the day for Korrodi. Neither team scored in the second quarter, although the Mules threatened at the end of the period. Sophomore defensive end B.J. Russow blocked a Spencer Webb field goal and Southern was able to run out the clock. The Mules went ahead to stay after Colin Bado fumbled on the Lions opening play from scrimmage in the second half. The Mules needed only three plays to take the lead as Korrodi hit Matt Jacobsen for a 7-yard TD toss. Korrodi also completed scoring passes of 10 and 15 yards in the third period to Micah Hefner and Delanie Walker. Southern was limited to just 188 total offensive yards, but couldn`t get the running game off the ground. The Mules held MSSU to -16 rushing yards on the day. Hinspeter completed 15-of-23 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 152 completions on the year, tying Josh Chapman`s 2001 total for fifth on the Lions` all-time seasonal list. He also moved into sixth on the MSSU seasonal charts with 1863 passing yards this year. Bromley had five catches for 45 yards and two scores to lead the MSSU receivers. Bado, with four catches on the day, moved into sole possession of fourth on the MSSU single-season list with 53 receptions this year. Defensively, seniors Dennis Johnson and Matt Crane led the way with 12 tackles apiece. Crane and defensive lineman Devin Rutledge had two tackles for loss, and Crane had the only MSSU sack of the day. The Lions are off next Saturday (Oct. 22) before heading to Washburn (Kan.) on Oct. 29. Then the Lions finish the season at home against Emporia State on Nov. 5. Courtesy: MSSU Sports Information