JOPLIN, Mo. – (WATCH) Missouri Southern QB Dawson Herl, LB Richard Jordan, Jr. and head coach Atiba Bradley talk about Thursday’s season opener against #14 Nebraska-Kearney.
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern football will open the season on September 1st, hosting Nebraska-Kearney.
The team is in the middle of their first week of fall camp – and they are aiming to build depth with some younger players ahead of the start of a tough MIAA schedule.
“The biggest thing for me is that we have so many newcomers,” says head coach Atiba Bradley of fall camp, “We have to find a way to get those guys in the mix and up to speed as quickly as possible. Our 1’s are as good as anyone in the conference, but this is a league that you have to have 1’s and 2’s if you expect it to make it 11 games, and hopefully get a 12th and maybe a 13th.”
Check out more from Missouri Southern in our Pigskin Preview – which will be released Wednesday night at 6:30 PM on koamnewsnow.com.
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern football opened fall practice Monday morning.
The Lions offense in 2022 will have new faces making plays, after the graduation of WR Brian Boyd, Jr. and TE KeAndre Bledsoe.
Boyd was the team’s leading receiver, posting 811 yards and 7 touchdowns on 45 catches. Bledsoe finished 3rd on the team in receiving, with 280 yards and a touchdown on 31 receptions.
Jaedon Stoshak was the team’s #2 receiver behind Boyd last year, picking up 359 yards and 3 touchdowns on 34 catches. The Lions also return JarMichael Cooper (17 rec, 248 yds, 2 TD) and Chris Boudreaux (14 rec, 178 yds, TD) in the wide receiver room.
“Any time you lose two of your top producers of offense it can make an impact, but we had guys waiting in the wings,” says MSSU head coach Atiba Bradley, “At the end of the season we had some guys who were just as good, or maybe better than Brian Boyd. We had some guys that just needed an opportunity. They got that in spring and they ran with it. It’s the same thing in that tight end group. I think we’re more athletic, I think we’re bigger. Now we just have to get some experience and play some games.”
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Lions hit the podium on Tuesday morning at MIAA football media day in Kansas City. The Lions were represented by head coach Atiba Bradley, linebacker Richard Jordan, Jr. and quarterback Dawson Herl.
Here are a few notes from Missouri Southern’s time taking questions from the media.
ON LAST SEASON:
(Bradley) “Last year we took steps in the right direction. When I took this job I knew it was going to be a process, and that it was going to take some time and energy. I think it paid off, and we took some steps forward to turn this thing around. As we move forward, I think our team has gotten better and more disciplined, but like every coach here has said – this is a tough league and everyone has gotten better. I’m excited to see where we are at in the league and mix it up a little bit.”
(Herl) “We’re excited to get started. We didn’t finish where we wanted to last year, but we’re looking forward to seeing more changes and seeing how we match up with everybody.”
(Jordan, Jr.) “The most exciting part for me is the consistency with our coordinators. In my time here, I’ve never had the same defensive coordinator for two years in a row. I think that’s a bonus for us.”
ATIBA BRADLEY ON HIS SECOND FULL SEASON AT MSSU:
(Bradley) “I think the biggest change, like JoJo said, is the consistency. These kids have had multiple coordinators since they got here. For us to be able to provide the same coordinators for them this off-season is going to breed success and confidence heading into a tough MIAA schedule.”
RICHARD JORDAN, Jr. ON HIS EXPERIENCE AND BEING A LEADER:
(Jordan, Jr.) “I love being a field general. I love leading the defense. I want to give a shout-out to our guys up front for giving me the lanes to make plays, and our defensive coordinator Joe Bettasso. He is a great defensive coordinator and he’s put me in good positions.”
ATIBA BRADLEY ON CLOSE LOSSES LAST SEASON: (Missouri Southern had four losses by 10 or fewer points)
(Bradley) “I went back and looked and I found that the MIAA played around 40 games that were within a touchdown. That’s a credit to this league. For us, we’re trying to learn how to finish and do the things we need to do to get over the hump, and turn some of those losses into wins.”
ATIBA BRADLEY ON BIGGEST AREA OF IMPROVEMENT:
(Bradley) “The weight room has been big. We weren’t really able to train like we normally would that first year. We had a few ice storms and things like that, then we hit the spring and we had to prepare to play that one game. As this year came around, we were able to have a more traditional spring season with lifting and spring ball. That’s really the key to success in my opinion, getting stronger and more physical in the off-season.”
DAWSON HERL ON GROWTH FROM FRESHMAN SEASON:
(Herl) “Being in the same offense and same system for two years…that’s not something we’ve really had. It’s nice for us to have consistency and really be able to lock in and learn the offense inside and out. I’m learning the offense better, and I’m working with our receivers to really get that timing down, so we’re ready to roll right off the bat in week one against Nebraska-Kearney.”
ON BRINGING BACK A LARGE NUMBER OF RETURNING STARTERS:
(Herl) “You really get to know what to expect from everyone, and it helps mold everything together better. It’s really exciting to see everyone come together and see the progress that we’ve made in just one year.”
(Jordan, Jr.) “I got to work out with some of the other linebackers this off-season like Colton Winder and Coleman Booker. They’ve really pushed me to get where I need to be this upcoming season.”
ATIBA BRADLEY ON DAWSON HERL AND RICHARD JORDAN, JR. BEING LEADERS:
(Bradley) “Their leadership has been great. They’ve reached out to our guys to make sure they know their assignments and know they’re cared about. These guys are my muscles. These are the guys who are going to take us to the next level, and they’ve done a great job leading our younger guys.”
ON BEING PICKED #10 IN THE MIAA PRESEASON POLLS:
(Herl) “It’s always good to have a chip on your shoulder. All I’m going to say is don’t count us out this year.”
JORDAN, JR. ON HAVING FIVE FORCED FUMBLES LAST SEASON:
(Jordan, Jr.) “I’ve been taught it’s all about the ball. It’s all about getting the ball back to Dawson and our offense so they can go to work. That’s what I try to do.”
CLOSING STATEMENT FROM ATIBA BRADLEY:
(Bradley) “I just want to thank MSSU and our administration for their support and thanks to the conference for hosting such a great event. Now it’s time to get rolling.”
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Southern Lions have been picked to finish 10th in the MIAA football preseason coaches poll released on Tuesday morning at the league’s media day.
The Lions were 3-8 last season under head coach Atiba Bradley – their highest win total since 2014. The Lions will open the season at home on September 1st, hosting Nebraska-Kearney.
#1 Northwest Missouri State
#2 Nebraska-Kearney
#3 Pittsburg State
#5 Fort Hays State
T#7 Central Missouri
T#7 Missouri Western
#9 Central Oklahoma
#10 Missouri Southern
#11 Northeastern State
#12 Lincoln
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern pitcher Logan VanWey is ready to prove he deserves his shot at Major League Baseball.
“I’ve always felt like I’ve had something to prove,” VanWey says, “Out of high school, I didn’t have very many offers and I was overlooked in the last two drafts.”
The former Webb City Cardinal is now getting his shot – signing a free agent contract with the Houston Astros Tuesday afternoon.
“I had dreamed of what it would feel like for years to get that call and how it would go,” VanWey says, “Nothing prepares you for when it actually happens. I’ve known I’m good enough, I had just been overlooked for two years. To get the opportunity now makes it all worth it.”
“I’ve signed a professional contract with one of the best teams in Major League Baseball,” he adds, “I’ll always have my same work ethic, but now I’m working toward making the big leagues.
VanWey had an outstanding senior season for Missouri Southern this spring.
He was a unanimous 1st team All-MIAA selection and an ABCA All-Region pick. He finished the season with a 7-3 record on the mound with a 3.47 ERA. VanWey led the MIAA in strikeouts with 123 on the year. Those 123 strikeouts puts him behind only Zach Parish – who finished with 136 twice in his MSSU career.
His final appearance for The Lions was a dominant, 131-pitch performance against rival Pittsburg State in the first round of the MIAA tournament. VanWey threw 8 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits and collecting 10 strikeouts in the Lions’ 6-0 win.
He has been playing in the Pioneer League this summer with the Glacier Range Riders. The Pioneer League is an independent partner league of Major League Baseball.
“Playing in the Pioneer League, I feel I’ve become a better pitcher,” VanWey adds, “I’ve been able to throw to hitters at a higher level. The league not only got me accustomed to the travel, but also the workload.”
He also says his time at Missouri Southern has made him a better pitcher – and helped propel him to his new opportunity.
“Missouri Southern is a huge part of the reason I’m still playing baseball,” VanWey finishes, “They gave me the opportunity to play in college. Since the first day I was with MSSU, coach Tuck and coach Darnell have always given me every opportunity to shine, whether it was as a closer for the first four years of my career there, or as the Friday starter this year. I owe so much to those coaches, and I hope I can make the program proud.”
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Missouri Southern catcher Tommy Stevenson was drafted in the 19th round (#574 overall) of the MLB Draft on Tuesday afternoon.
Stevenson was an ABCA All-Region selection, and was a 2nd team All-MIAA selection this past spring as a sophomore for the Lions., hitting .385 with 16 home runs, 11 doubles and 42 RBI. He led the MIAA in on-base percentage, while also ranking second in the league in slugging.
His 16 home runs this season is tied for the second-most in a single season for Missouri Southern baseball.
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JOPLIN, Mo. – Former Missouri Southern baseball standout Jordan Fitzpatrick has earned his shot to play professional baseball, signing on Monday with the Grand Junction Rockies in Grand Junction, Colorado.
The Rockies play in the Pioneer League – which operates as an independent “Partner League” of Major League Baseball.
“It means a lot. Baseball has been my world for pretty much my whole life,” Fitzpatrick says, “Getting the opportunity to play professionally is an incredible feeling.”
After signing on Monday, Fitzpatrick made his debut in right field for the Rockies on Wednesday. He went 1-5 at the plate in the game, collecting his first professional hit and first RBI – while also scoring a run.
“My first pro hit is going to be one to remember, because I actually broke my bat on that swing,” Fitzpatrick adds, “Hopefully I can continue to contribute in any way I can in the coming weeks.”
Fitzpatrick played at Missouri Southern from 2020-2022. He is a 2X All-MIAA selection, earning 2nd team All-MIAA honors as an outfielder in 2021. He was also an All-Region selection that season – hitting for a .369 average with team-high 69 hits, including 20 doubles and 14 home runs.
“I think playing at Southern helped me a lot,” Fitzpatrick says of his time in Joplin, “You’re playing for a great program in a solid conference. Being able to build a resume from that is obviously going to help propel guys to the next level. I’m extremely thankful to coach Darnell and coach Tuck for giving me the opportunity to play for them the last few years. If they hadn’t, there’s no telling if I would be getting an opportunity like this to continue playing.”
As for his future plans on the field?
“I just want to help the team in any way I can,” Fitzpatrick finishes, “I want to contribute when I get called upon to do so. If it ends up leading to something more, that’s awesome. If not, I’m just going to try and help any way I can while I’m here in Grand Junction.”
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