Missouri Southern snapped a six-year losing streak against Missouri Western State College on Sept. 25, escaping with a 23-21 Homecoming win over the reigning conference co-champions.

The Lions improved their record to 2-1 in the MIAA and 3-2 overall, while the Griffons fell to 1-2 in the MIAA and 2-3 for the season.

In a game that saw the lead change six times, the victory was decided by a 23-yard field goal kicked by sophomore Brandon Hawkins with 22 seconds left in the game. MWSC’s Jerrett Brooks took the ensuing kickoff 41 yards and the Griffons attempted a 34-yard field goal with five seconds left in the game, but the attempt was wide right, giving the Lions the ball and the win.

Southern head coach John Ware said he was glad the estimated crowd of 5,214 got to see an exciting Homecoming victory.

“I’m glad to give the community of Joplin and Missouri Southern an exciting game where we come out with a win,” Ware said. “That hasn’t happened in this stadium in a long time, and it’s something the fans deserve.”

“I’m just glad it worked out so well,” said Southern offensive coordinator Keeth Matheny. “There was a lot of drama in this one. Down the road, you don’t tell stories about how you won 51-0 to a no-good team, you talk about the close games like this that were decided by a field goal.”

Hawkins said he was nervous when called on to kick but relieved when his attempt went through the uprights. He hit two field goals from 31 and 32 yards earlier in the game, but missed a 32-yard attempt in the first quarter that would have given the Lions a 6-0 lead.

“I had the jitters but it wasn’t that bad,” Hawkins said. “I was definitely relieved when it went through.”

“That kick is something that kid (Hawkins) won’t forget, and it’s something the team won’t forget,” Ware said. “I’m very happy with the way that young man was able to step up and deliver for us today.”

Ware said he believes the victory will give the team confidence going into the second half of the season.

“Our kids needed a win like that,” Ware said. “They played with a lot of pride and a lot of heart. We’re still not where we want to be in a lot of areas, but we’re on the right track.”

Despite the close score, Southern led the game in almost every offensive category. The Lions’ 513 offensive yards were 202 more than the Griffons, and Southern converted 25 first downs, seven more than MWSC.

Freshman quarterback Nathan Emert connected with a couple of reserve wide receivers for the Lions only touchdowns of the game. He found freshman Otis Taylor for 23 yards with 5:18 left in the first half and connected with junior Tedaryl Mason for a 17-yard score with seven seconds left in the third, giving the Lions a five-point lead going into the fourth quarter.

Emert completed 65 percent of his passes for 335 yards and one interception, adding 23 yards rushing, while sophomore running back Wentric Williams recorded 121 yards on the ground and added five catches for 50 yards.

Junior Tyson Basore set the pace for Lions receivers, snagging seven balls for 53 yards, while senior wide receiver Craig Winfrey had six catches for 61 yards.

Senior wide receiver DeMarcus Mathes recorded five catches for 83 yards, Mason had five catches for 36 yards, senior tight end Cody Kilburn recorded four catches for 37 yards, Taylor had two catches for 38 yards, and freshman wide receiver Colin Bado recorded a 12-yard reception.

On defense, junior linebacker Atiba Bradley had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery and shared the team lead at 10 tackles with sophomore cornerback Moses Manga. Manga had the Lions’ only sack of the day, and he and senior cornerback Robert Spinks each recorded an interception.

The Lions travel to Kirksville on Saturday to take on the winless Truman State Bulldogs.