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1 – Big Day For Receivers

Missouri Southern is last in the MIAA in pass defense allowing 269.6 yards through the air while the Bulldogs are eighth with 237.0 yards. Truman’s J.B. Clark is fourth in the MIAA in passing at 230 a game and both teams feature two outstanding wideouts.

For the Lions, Landon Zerkel is second in the MIAA in receiving yards per game at 97.6 and is complimented by Ne’Ronte Threat at a shade under 50 yards per game.

The Bulldogs’ Anthony Brown is ninth in yards per game at 74.3 and has sophomore Dallas Grier just one catch behind with 30 on the season and 52.7 yards per game average.

2 – Take Care Of The Ball

Truman is a plus-1 in the turnover margin on the season while the Lions are a negative-5.

Both teams have lost the ball 12 times this season but the Bulldogs have forced 13 turnovers (10 fumbles and three interceptions) while Missouri Southern has gained two fumbles and five interceptions.

Truman has had a positive turnover margin in four of the six games played this year and have not lost a fumble since week one.

3 –Convert On Third Downs

The Achilles’s heel for the Bulldogs this season has been third down efficiency and going just 30.5 percent in those situations. 

The Lions have been plagued by allowing nearly half (47.5%) of all opponent third down plays to succeed this year.

Deeper inside Truman’s third down statistics show the Bulldogs are 10-of-30 in third and short situations. 

The play calling has been balanced between run/pass plays with the Bulldogs converting 50% of the time when rushing but are 2-of-15 when passing.

4 – Build Early Momentum

The Lions built up a 17-0 halftime lead at Emporia State last week and led by 10 points with 10 minutes left to play only to fall 31-24 to the Hornets.

Truman saw Washburn score touchdowns on fourth straight possessions to start in their game last week.

5 – Repeat Last Season’s Gameplan

In Truman’s 23-6 win over the Lions last season, the Bulldogs had nearly 10 minutes more of possession time, recorded five sacks, limited the Lions to 2-of-11 on third down and allowed just one redzone opportunity.

The Bulldog “D” held Missouri Southern to just 19 yards on the ground in 30 attempts. Landon Zerkel notched 140 yards receiving and caught 11 of the 18 passes completed.

Steven Sumpter, Missouri Southern’s leading rusher this year, was injured five games into last season and did not play against the Bulldogs.

Courtesy Truman State University