It was a cold, wet night in Joplin as the Missouri Southern Lions fell to the Pittsburg State University Gorillas, 49-0, in the U.S. Cellular Miner’s Bowl.

After allowing a 19-yard run by freshman running back Germaine Race on the first play of the game, the Southern defense dug in its heels and forced the Gorillas to punt.

On Southern’s first possession of the game, the Lions moved the ball down the field to the Gorillas’ 45-yard line from their own 14-yard line, but were forced to punt. During the drive the Lions did not attempt a pass. Southern would punt, and the floodgates would be opened.

“It started out working,” said Rob Green, assistant head coach. “Wecontrolled the clock, but after the first quarter the bottom kind of fell out on us.”

PSU would score the game’s first points on an 8-yard Neil Philpot touchdown run.

The Gorillas went on to score 49 unanswered points, with 28 coming in the second quarter alone.

Southern’s offensive woes continued as the Lions were only able to gain 38 total yards through the air, and only 143 total yards.

In his first extended action of the season, junior running back Jerrod Murphy picked up 68 of the Lions’ 139 rushing yards.

“I thought that Jerrod Murphy ran very hard and did a very nice job,” Green said, “even as the game got out of control.”

For a more in depth look at the game and a preview of the game against the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats, turn to the sports section of The Chart on Friday.