After winning two of their last three games, the Lions’ endured one of this season’s most disappointing losses last Saturday at the hands of Northwest Missouri.

In the Oct. 15 home matchup with Truman State University, Southern narrowly escaped defeat, as two last-second Hail Mary passes by the Bulldogs nearly tied the game, but the Lions came away with a 24-17 victory. 

In the Oct. 22 Hall of Fame Game, broadcasted on the MIAA TV network, Southern treated viewers and past Lion greats to a record-setting performance.

The Lions broke school records for total offense and first downs, and tied records for points and sacks in their 68-28 win over the Southwest Baptist University Bearcats.

Perhaps the most deflating of Southern’s five losses came last Saturday, when it was within three points of national powerhouse Northwest. 

The Bearcats used two special teams touchdowns, and three total scores in the fourth quarter to pull away, ending the threat of a potential conference-changing upset.

“Well, once again, we find ourselves at Missouri Southern football in a tough spot, we come off a very difficult football game in which our guys, we felt like, played very physical, found a way to outgain in yardage, what now is the second or third team in America in terms of ranking,” Head Coach Bart Tatum said. 

“Stayed very close on the scoreboard for three quarters, and did not play well enough down the stretch to win the game. And it’s just a very difficult way to lose.”

Tomorrow, the Lions will take on the Fort Hays State University Tigers. 

According to Tatum, Fort Hays is a run-reliant team offensively, and junior defensive tackle Kenny Smith believes that will play right into the teeth of his defensive unit.

“It’s really exciting because we feel we can control teams that try to run the ball,” he said. “That’s what me and big Brandon [Williams, fellow DT], we want people to try to run at us. That’s what we do best, stop the run on the inside.”