2016 Missouri Southern Lions football team

American college football season

2016 Missouri Southern Lions football

Conference| Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
Record| 2–8 (2–8 MIAA)
Head coach|

* Denver Johnson (2nd season)

Offensive coordinator| Corey Fipps (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator| Kenny Evans (2nd season)
Home stadium| Fred G. Hughes Stadium

Seasons

<- 2015

2017 ->

2016 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings

* v
* t
* e

| Conf |  |  | Overall

|
|
|
|

Team |  | W |  | L |  |  |  |  | W |  | L |
No. 1 NW Missouri State $^  |  | 11  | - | 0  |  |  |  |  | 15  | - | 0  |
No. 10 Emporia State ^  |  | 10  | - | 1  |  |  |  |  | 11  | - | 2  |
No. 21 Central Missouri ^  |  | 9  | - | 2  |  |  |  |  | 9  | - | 3  |
Fort Hays State #  |  | 7  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 8  | - | 4  |
Pittsburg State |  | 7  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 4  |
Washburn #  |  | 7  | - | 4  |  |  |  |  | 7  | - | 5  |
Missouri Western |  | 4  | - | 7  |  |  |  |  | 4  | - | 7  |
Central Oklahoma  |  | 3  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 8  |
Lindenwood |  | 3  | - | 8  |  |  |  |  | 3  | - | 8  |
Missouri Southern |  | 2  | - | 9  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 9  |
Northeastern State |  | 2  | - | 9  |  |  |  |  | 2  | - | 9  |
Nebraska–Kearney |  | 1  | - | 10  |  |  |  |  | 1  | - | 10  |

* $ - Conference champion
* ^ - NCAA Division II playoff participant
* # – bowl participant (Wahsburn - Mineral Water Bowl, Fort Hays State - C.H.A.M.P.S. Heart of Texas Bowl)

Rankings from AFCA Poll

The 2016 Missouri Southern Lions football team represented Missouri Southern State University in the 2016 NCAA Division II football season. The Lions played their home games in Fred G. Hughes Stadium in Joplin, Missouri, as they have done since 1975.[1] 2016 was the 48th season in school history.[2] The Lions were led by second-year head coach, Denver Johnson.[3] Missouri Southern has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association since 1989.[4]

## Preseason

[edit]

The Lions entered the 2016 season after finishing in 11th place last season with a record of 1–10, under Johnson.[5] On August 2, 2016 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Lions were chosen to finish in 10th place in the Coaches Poll, and 11th in the Media Poll.[6]

## Personnel

[edit]

### Coaching staff

[edit]

Along with Johnson, there were 9 assistants.

Name  | Position  | Seasons at
MSSU  | Alma Mater

|
|
|

Denver Johnson | Head Coach | 2 | Tulsa (1981)
Kenny Evans | Defensive Coordinator | 2 | Northeastern State (1982)
Corey Fipps | Offensive Coordinator | 2 | Harding (2004)
Charles Alexander | Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator | 2 | Ohio State (2002)
Bill Bleil | Offensive Line | 1 | NM Highlands (1982)
Rashad Watson | Secondary | 4 | Alabama A&M (2002)
Bret Story | Wide Receivers | 2 | Newberry (2003)
Josh Dalton | Running Backs | 2 | Missouri Southern (2002)
Caleb Lewis | Kickers | 2 | Missouri Southern (1999)
Darius Hart | Defensive Line | 1 | Oklahoma State (2011)
Reference:[7]

### Roster

[edit]

2016 Missouri Southern Lions football team roster

Players  | Coaches
Offense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

QB | `1` | T.J. Fleeton | Jr
QB | `4` | Brayden Scott | So
WR | `10` | Jordan Morrison | Sr
TE | `11` | Alex Crehan |  Fr
WR | `12` | Jeff Shuster |  Fr
WR | `17` | Scott Lathrop |  Sr
RB | `18` | Jay Hadley | Sr
WR | `19` | Carson Day | So
WR | `21` | Terrell Crawford | Sr
RB | `29` | Del'shaun Higgins |  Fr
RB | `32` | Justise Keith |  So
RB | `33` | Brice Gahagans |  Sr
WR | `34` | Chad Nolan | Sr
RB | `46` | Malcom Nelson, Jr. |  Fr
OL | `54` | Jonathan Villanueva | Sr
OL | `59` | Mitch Moore | Sr
OL | `61` | Antonio Carranco |  Sr
OL | `63` | David Dzierzega | Jr
OL | `66` | Cristian Mora | Sr
OL | `68` | Jonathan Boos |  Sr
OL | `71` | Isaac Wold | Sr
OL | `72` | Seth Peterson |  Sr
OL | `73` | Joe Brawner | Sr
OL | `74` | Lars Lindquist |  Sr
OL | `75` | Jarrell Jackson | Jr
OL | `76` | Brock Whalen | Sr
WR | `80` | Brandon Martin | Jr
WR | `82` | Jocqui Davis | Sr
WR | `83` | Anthony Cannon | Sr
WR | `89` | Ben Evans | Sr
Defense | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

CB | `3` | Ricky Green | Sr
CB | `12` | Brian Hanserd | Sr
LB | `15` | E.J. McKenzie | Sr
S | `20` | Chris Goss III | Sr
S | `24` | Idrissa Simpson | Sr
LB | `27` | Justin Legier | So
DB | `30` | Marquez Cohen |  Sr
DB | `36` | Ben Belay | Fr
CB | `37` | Grady Howell | Jr
DE | `42` | Roderick Earvin | Sr
LB | `46` | Trevor Plafcan | So
LB | `46` | Devin Williams-Pennick |  Jr
S | `47` | Garrick Fausett |  So
DE | `53` | Dominique Nunez | Sr
DE | `91` | Chris Williams | Sr
DE | `92` | James Wooten | Sr
DT | `93` | Stephan Randall | Sr
DL | `96` | Jeremy Boykins | Sr
DE | `98` | Travelle Smith | Sr
Special teams | Pos. | # | Name | Class

|
|
|

K | `39` | Brock Renken | Jr
P | `22` | Kye Stoneham | Sr
P | `25` | Stetson Broce | Sr

Head coach

* Denver Johnson

Coordinators/assistant coaches

* See coaching staff

* * *

Legend

* (C) Team captain
* (S) Suspended
* (I) Ineligible

* Injured
* Redshirt

* * *

Roster
Last update: 2016-08-04

## Schedule

[edit]

Date| Time| Opponent| Site| Result| Attendance

|
|
|
|
|

September 1| 7:00 pm| at Fort Hays State|

* Lewis Field Stadium
* Hays, KS

| L 10–22| 4,134
September 10| 6:00 pm| Missouri Western|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO

| L 14–51| 4,274
September 17| 2:00 pm| at Emporia State|

* Francis G. Welch Stadium
* Emporia, KS

| L 21–49| 5,304
September 24| 6:00 pm| No. 1 Northwest Missouri State|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO

| L 21–45| 5,267
October 1| 2:00 pm| at Nebraska–Kearney|

* Ron & Carol Cope Stadium
* Kearney, NE

| W 24–14| 2,005
October 8| 3:00 pm| Washburn|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO

| L 13–45| 5,674
October 15| 6:00 pm| Central Missouri|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO

| L 7–56| 2,526
October 22| 2:00 pm| at Central Oklahoma|

* Wantland Stadium
* Edmond, OK

| L 42–63| 1,985
October 29| 2:00 pm| Northeastern State|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO

| W 45–33| 4,236
November 5| 1:30 pm| at Lindenwood|

* Harlen C. Hunter Stadium
* St. Charles, MO

| L 28–42| 1,563
November 12| 3:30 pm| Pittsburg State|

* Fred G. Hughes Stadium
* Joplin, MO (Miner's Bowl)

| L 31–45| 5,748

* Homecoming
* Rankings from American Football Coaches Association Poll released prior to the game
* All times are in Central time

[8]

## Game summaries

[edit]

### Fort Hays State

[edit]

See also: 2016 Fort Hays State Tigers football team

Missouri Southern at Fort Hays State  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Missouri Southern | 0 | 3| 7| 0 | 10
• Fort Hays State | 7 | 6| 6| 3 | 22

* Date: September 1
* Location: Lewis Field Stadium, Hays, KS
* Game start: 7:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:54
* Game attendance: 4,134
* Game weather: Sunny and Breezy, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Referee: Lonnie Brickman

### Missouri Western

[edit]

See also: 2016 Missouri Western Griffons football team

Missouri Western at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Missouri Western | 7 | 21| 6| 17 | 51
Missouri Southern | 0 | 6| 2| 6 | 14

* Date: September 10
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 6:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:45
* Game attendance: 2,474
* Game weather: Overcast, 72 °F (22 °C)
* Referee: Dwight Neibling

### Emporia State

[edit]

See also: 2016 Emporia State Hornets football team

Missouri Southern at Emporia State  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Missouri Southern | 0 | 7| 7| 7 | 21
• Emporia State | 28 | 14| 7| 0 | 49

* Date: September 17
* Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS
* Game start: 2:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:57
* Game attendance: 5,304
* Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C)
* Referee: John Adams

### Northwest Missouri State

[edit]

See also: 2016 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats football team

Northwest Missouri State at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

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|
|

• #1 Northwest Missouri State | 0 | 28| 7| 10 | 45
Missouri Southern | 13 | 0| 8| 0 | 21

* Date: September 24
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 6:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:58
* Game attendance: 5,267
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 85 °F (29 °C)
* Referee: Danny Harris

### Nebraska–Kearney

[edit]

See also: 2016 Nebraska–Kearney Lopers football team

Missouri Southern at Nebraska–Kearney  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Missouri Southern | 14 | 0| 3| 7 | 24
Nebraska–Kearney | 0 | 7| 0| 7 | 14

* Date: October 1
* Location: Ron & Carol Cope Stadium, Kearney, NE
* Game start: 2:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 3:10
* Game attendance: 2,005
* Game weather: Clear, 75 °F (24 °C)
* Referee: John Steiger

### Washburn

[edit]

See also: 2016 Washburn Ichabods football team

Washburn at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Washburn | 3 | 7| 14| 21 | 45
Missouri Southern | 0 | 0| 0| 13 | 13

* Date: October 8
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 3:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 3:09
* Game attendance: 5,674
* Game weather: Clear, 71 °F (22 °C)
* Referee: Dwight Neibling

### Central Missouri

[edit]

See also: 2016 Central Missouri Mules football team

Central Missouri at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Central Missouri | 14 | 28| 7| 7 | 56
Missouri Southern | 7 | 0| 0| 0 | 7

* Date: October 15
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 6:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:52
* Game attendance: 2,526
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 77 °F (25 °C)
* Referee: Craig Helser

### Central Oklahoma

[edit]

See also: 2016 Central Oklahoma Bronchos football team

Missouri Southern at Central Oklahoma  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Missouri Southern | 0 | 14| 7| 21 | 42
• Central Oklahoma | 14 | 21| 7| 21 | 63

* Date: October 22
* Location: Wantland Stadium, Edmond, OK
* Game start: 2:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 3:10
* Game attendance: 1,985
* Game weather: Sunny, 79 °F (26 °C)
* Referee: Brian Moore

### Northeastern State

[edit]

See also: 2016 Northeastern State RiverHawks football team

Northeastern State at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Northeastern State | 10 | 3| 0| 20 | 33
• Missouri Southern | 7 | 14| 10| 14 | 45

* Date: October 29
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 2:00 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 3:24
* Game attendance: 4,236
* Game weather: Mostly sunny, 80 °F (27 °C)
* Referee: Sean Johnston

### Lindenwood

[edit]

See also: 2016 Lindenwood Lions football team

Missouri Southern at Lindenwood  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

Missouri Southern | 7 | 0| 7| 14 | 28
• Lindenwood | 0 | 21| 7| 14 | 42

* Date: November 5
* Location: Harlen C. Hunter Stadium, St. Charles, MO
* Game start: 1:30 pm CDT
* Elapsed time: 2:57
* Game attendance: 1,563
* Game weather: Partly cloudy, 63 °F (17 °C)
* Referee: John Steiger

## Pittsburg State

[edit]

See also: 2016 Pittsburg State Gorillas football team

Pittsburg State at Missouri Southern  |  | 1 | 2| 3| 4| Total

|
|
|
|
|

• Pittsburg State | 14 | 3| 14| 14 | 45
Missouri Southern | 0 | 7| 14| 10 | 31

* Date: November 12
* Location: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, MO
* Game start: 3:30 pm CST
* Elapsed time: 3:11
* Game attendance: 5,748
* Game weather: Clear, 63 °F (17 °C)
* Referee: Lonnie Brickman

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Fred G. Hughes Stadium". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
2. ^ "Missouri Southern Lions Football 2015 Media Guide" (PDF). October 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
3. ^ Schremmer, Mark (March 31, 2015). "Lions to hire former Tulsa assistant as head coach | Local Sports". joplinglobe.com. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
4. ^ "The Fort Scott Tribune - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved August 4, 2016.
5. ^ "Southern Football Picked 10th/11th in MIAA Preseason Football Poll". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
6. ^ "NWMSU Tops Football Polls". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
7. ^ "Missouri Southern State Athletics – 2016 Football Coaching Staff". Retrieved August 4, 2015.
8. ^ "Missouri Southern State Athletics - 2016 Football Schedule". Retrieved August 4, 2016.

* v
* t
* e

Missouri Southern Lions football

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* Fred G. Hughes Stadium (1975–present)

People|

* Head coaches

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*[v]: View this template
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*[Conf]: Conference record
*[W]: Wins
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*[No.]: Number