The saying goes, history repeats itself.

Bart Tatum certainly hopes not.

Tomorrow, Tatum’s team will travel to Emporia, Kan. to take on the Hornets of Emporia State University. In the two schools’ game last season, the Lions handed Emporia a win with four fouth-quarter interceptions and six such penalties.

Southern entered the fourth quarter up 27-23, but after the third interception was returned for a touchdown, the Lions could not recover.

“I’ve thought about it,” junior wide receiver Kellen Cox said. “You know, last year, looking back at our season. Kinda feeling like what happened at Emporia in the fourth quarter last year, that third game of the year, that really did set the tone for maybe the confidence we had as a team last year. I’m not gonna say it could have changed the whole season, but I do feel like we’re going to have an edge; we’re going to have a little chip on our shoulder this week, coming back, playing them at their home field again. It’s motivating to think about that game last year. We’re ready to take care of business.”

The Lions will try to do so against a conference bottom-feeder in the Hornets. 0-4 in the MIAA and 1-4 overall, Emporia is a team Southern respects, but it knows it can beat.

Last week, the Lions’ homecoming game was spoiled by Missouri Western State University and their first-year starter at quarterback, Travis Partridge.

The Griffons, whom Southern had beaten two years in a row, finally penetrated the Lions previously stout rushing defense. 

That unit, which had allowed only 172 yards in its first three games, was torched for 263 yards against Western.