JOPLIN, Mo. – Collin Howard's 27-yard touchdown pass to Landon Zerkel on the opening possession of the fourth quarter stood up as the winning score for the Missouri Southern Lions on Saturday as they defeated the Truman Bulldogs 24-17.
Zerkel's ninth catch of the day for a total of 115 yards was his biggest as he made the reception on third and 17 with 8:24 left to break the 17 all tie. The Bulldogs (1-5 overall/1-4 MIAA) had two chances at the end of the game as they failed to convert on a fourth and eight on the Lions 43 yard line then the defense forced a fumble with 1:21 left to give Truman the ball back at the Lions' 30.
Dallas Grier had the inside position but had the ball wrestled free by Maurlon Bembry at the one on third and 15 and Paul Taylor couldn't come up with the desperation heave by J.B. Clark on fourth down to allow the Lions (2-4 overall/2-4 MIAA) to survive for the victory.
Truman took the early lead on a Derek Koon 19-yard field goal with 9:13 in the first quarter, which was his MIAA record 12th consecutive field goal on the season. That capped off a 10-play 59-yard drive in Truman's first possession of the game.
Eric Murdock answered for the Lions from 45 yards away to knot the score with 3:41 left in the first. Koon's streak would come to an end on the next possession as he attempted a career-long 51-yard field goal that had the distance but was just left .
Both teams exchanged interceptions in the second quarter but neither team was able to take advantage and score.
Later in the quarter, Howard found Austin Lepper on a 25-yard strike to move into Truman's redzone for the first time on the day and two plays later Howard called his own number for the seven yard touchdown run to put the Lions up 10-3 at the half.
On the opening drive of the second half, Clark converted on a third and 11 to Grier for 24 yards and then found Grier in the endzone on third and 12 for a 19-yard touchdown reception. The extra point was missed so the Lions' lead was trimmed to 10-9.
Brian Rodgers dove for a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and picked off Clark and the Bulldogs to set up Southern at the Truman 27 yard line with 5:55 left in the third quarter. On the next play, Howard found Ne'Ronte Threat on a swing pass and the receiver took it the distance to put Southern up 17-9.
Clark got Truman into the black in rushing after reeling off a 69-yard quarterback draw on second and 20 in the Bulldogs next series. On the very next play Harnish Ayora scored on a 17 yard scamper as the Bulldogs went from -15 yards rushing to 86 in two plays.
Ayora powered his way into the endzone to convert the two-point play and tied the game at 17 apiece.
Murdock attempted a 46-yard field goal later in the quarter but missed left but Truman gave the ball back after Clark threw high to Grier on third and one, which forced a punt that ended the third quarter.
The Lions would start on their own 29 and marched down the field in 12 plays, converting on three, third downs before Zerkel's go-ahead TD catch with 8:24 left.
Howard finished with 197 yards passing and Steven Sumpter gained 87 yards on the ground on 23 carriers.
Anthony Brown grabbed nine passes for 135 yards while Grier caught five Clark passed for 86. Clark finished with 263 yards through the air and was the Bulldogs leading rusher with 43 on 12 carries.
Richie Schumacher continues to lead the defense as he had 13 stops on the day with Kyle Whitcher adding 10.
The Bulldogs will be on the road again next Saturday as they will travel to St. Joseph, Mo. and face the Missouri Western Griffons for a 1:30 start.
