In 1993, the Missouri Southern Lions football team clashed with the Pittsburg State University Gorillas in Joplin, and won 20-3, en route to winning a conference championship.

It has been 10 years since the victory, and the Lions are still looking for their next win in a series that the Gorillas lead 26-8-1, including 12-6 at Southern. In that time, the Lions have been outscored 285-105 by the Gorillas, including a 50-12 loss last year in Pittsburg.

The Lions will look to get things turned around in the series Saturday, when they face off with PSU in the U.S. Cellular Miner’s Bowl. The teams will play for the coveted Miner’s Bowl Trophy.

“Right now we have to look at Missouri Southern as a team that is under some turmoil,” said Chuck Broyles, PSU head football coach. “It will be interesting to see how they play against the Gorillas.”

In order to win Saturday, the Lions believe they must take away the Gorillas ability to run with the football.

“If we can stop the run, we will win,” said senior defensive end Seth Austin. “But that is a huge task.”

“They are going to come out there and put it to us,” said freshman defensive end Joey Wagner. “We are going to have to put it to them first in order to win.”

“We’ve got a recipe,” said junior wide receiver DeMarcus Mathes. “And we are going to stick to it.”

“Until they become a bona-fide passing team, you’ve got to put as many people into the box as you can,” said Lions assistant head coach Rob Green.

Green, who is 4-1 as the Lions’ headman, has never faced the Gorillas.

“One of the keys to beating Pittsburg State is to keep their offense off of the field,” he said.

Missouri Southern is currently third in the league in time of possession, holding on to the ball for an average of 31:23 a game this season.

Statistically, both defenses are similar. Both teams are in the top half of the MIAA in pass defense, with the Gorillas at second in the league, allowing only 156.9 yards per game. Southern weighs in at fourth in the league, allowing 147.4 yards passing per game.

The level of defensive play has been high for both defensive squads. Senior free safety Ryan Burpo leads the way for Southern in tackles, with 69 total tackles, 30 of which are solo. He also has one interception.

Southern’s Atiba Bradley, a sophomore linebacker, has 44 tackles, four of which are for a loss, three sacks, and one interception on the year.

Junior strong safety T. M. Bryant has also contributed five tackles for a loss and three sacks for the Lions this year.

Green said tackles for a loss are going to be part of his strategy to stop the run and keep PSU’s offense off the field.

Since the Lions and Gorillas first met in 1968, the Gorillas have had a player rush for 100-plus yards on 20 different occasions.

With the Gorillas averaging 88.9 rushing yards a game from senior quarterback Neal Philpot, 89.7 rushing yards a game from freshman running back Germaine Race and 291.7 yards rushing a game as a team, the Lions will have their work cut out for them, but they definitely are not intimidated.

“If you are intimidated, then you are probably not going to be out there,” Austin said.

Another aspect of the game is the rivalry that has developed between the Lions and the Gorillas.

“I’ve heard that Pitt State doesn’t like us,” said Wagner. “So, bottom line, I don’t like them.”

“Personally, I have never delved into the Missouri Southern versus Pitt State rivalry as much as some of our fans or some of our coaches,” Broyles said. “But I have had people come up to me and tell me ‘I don’t care if you win any other game, as long as you beat those Missouri southern Lions.”

“A lot of people are going to come out to see the game,” Mathes said. “This is one of those big games that you have to win.”

“Its’ a local rivalry,” Green said. “And because it is a local rivalry, it brings out a lot more people and a lot more people are interested in the game.”

With the two schools being so close, both teams have a chance to get to know each other over the years.

“Because of the proximity of the two schools our players have gotten to know their players, and their players have gotten a chance to know ours,” Green said. “So it’s always a fun game.”

“I think our football team needs to be ready to play,” said Broyles. “Because the Missouri Southern players will be ready to play.”

Kickoff is set for Saturday 6 pm at Hughes Stadium.