If the turnaround is going to happen, it may as well happen here.

A week after 20 unanswered points from Washburn University dropped Missouri Southern’s football team to 0-2, they are preparing to face Lincoln University at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis tomorrow.

The Blue Tigers are 1-2 on their own season, coming off a 73-7 clubbing at the hands of the No. 1 team in the nation, Northwest Missouri State University.

“Offensively, last year we played them at home and they were option,” Head Coach Bart Tatum said. “And they’re not option this year. They’re throwing the ball around, running the ball out of one-back sets, it’s more of a spread offense.

“So that’s what we’re expecting on that side of the ball.”

Tatum also said Lincoln’s defense has been multi-faceted in 2011, playing essentially polar opposite schemes each half of the young season.

“We’re preparing for both, which is the only choice we have,” Tatum said.

Lincoln ranks last in conference in total offense as well as scoring defense.

The Lions however, do not rank higher in conference than fifth in any category but rushing defense.

Of 17 of the statistical categories provided, Southern or Lincoln represents one of the bottom three ranks of the conference in 16 categories.

Last week, the Lions led the Ichabods into the fourth quarter before three Dane Simoneau touchdown passes gave Washburn the 30-14 victory in Southern’s home opener. Simoneau finished with 274 yards and four scores passing.

“Very business-oriented,” senior defensive end Maurice Pearl said of this week’s practice in response to the Washburn loss.

“No one was slacking, no one was letting up early, everybody came out and worked hard.

“No one wanted to see what happened last week happen again.”

As for what the team needs to do to in order to get in the win column, sophomore defensive back Demon Haire stressed the importance of finishing games and, more importantly, efforts.

“We was right there,” he said. “We shoulda won, shoulda finished. That’s what we gotta do with every game, finish, and we didn’t.”