MSSU Football Preps to Face Pitt State in Saturday Night Showdown

JOPLIN, MO — Missouri Southern will play host to one of the biggest rivalries in the Four States on Saturday. Head coach Atiba Bradley’s Lions will face Tom Anthony’s Pitt State Gorillas.

Last week, the Lions fell to MSU Texas in their season opener. Dropping the game 18-11, Missouri Southern was held to just three points at the half. Coach Bradley said his group has learned from the loss.

“It’s one of those things where we just have to be cleaner, and that involves everything from our blocking assignments to tackling…to making the right communications,” said Bradley.

“It’s really just about polishing what we already do.”

Looking to turn the page, the Lions will aim to beat a tough Pitt State defense. Redshirt junior quarterback, Luke Sampson, said he has a lot of trust in his young team.

“I got trust in a lot of the younger guys. Some of our skills guys are younger, and they’ve got talent, but we just have to step up and make plays,” said Sampson. Opportunities will present themselves to us.”

Defensively, the matchup will be vastly different from MSU Texas for Southern. Redshirt junior linebacker, Zach Bergmann, said he’s eager to go up against a strong passing game from the Gorillas offense.

“They’re going to throw it a lot more with a strong RPO game, and we’re excited for that,” said Bergmann.

“It’s real exciting to go against a team that’s going to mix it up a little bit more, and we’re going to be prepared.”

MSSU will host Pitt State on Saturday, September 7th at 7 p.m.

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