Box Score
JOPLIN, MO. – Missouri Southern junior quarterback Adam Hinspeter threw four touchdown passes in the first half to lead the Lions to a 48-20 victory over Harding in non-conference action Saturday at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. Missouri Southern led 38-7 at halftime.
Harding (1-1) committed four first-half turnovers, including three interceptions thrown by Bison junior quarterback David Knighton. Missouri Southern's Corderi Collier returned the third interception 37 yards for the final score of the first half.
Hinspeter, who completed 17-of-26 for 215 yards, handled the rest. He threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Norman and a five yarder to Korie Henry in the first quarter. Harding trailed 14-0 after one period for the second straight week.
Missouri Southern (2-0) made it 21-0 on Hinspeter's second hookup with Norman, a 22-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second quarter.
Harding's lone score of the first half came one play after senior Ardell Briggs broke a 70-yard run down the sidelines to the MSSU 1-yard line. Senior Calvin Roberts punched in his second touchdown of the season with 13:28 left in the half.
Hinspeter's fourth touchdown pass was a 67-yard strike to Colin Bado with 12:15 left in the half. The Lions tacked on a 45-yard Brian Malette field goal, tying his career long, and Collier's interception return.
Missouri Southern had 328 total yards in the first half, 160 rushing and 168 passing, and 16 first downs. Harding managed only 137 yards and five first downs.
Missouri Southern also unveiled Alley Broussard, a senior transfer from LSU, against the Bisons. Broussard broke numerous tackles and rushed for 110 yards on 10 carries and scored on a 39-yard run with 7:38 left in the third quarter.
Harding cut the lead to 45-14 on a two-yard Knighton pass to Jonathan Paulson that culminated an eight-play, 77-yard drive with 5:40 left in the third quarter.
Briggs finished with a team-high 79 rushing yards on six carries and scored the Bisons' last touchdown on a five-yard reception from Knighton with 11:39 left in the game.
Missouri Southern compiled 463 yards of total offense. Harding had 305 total yards. Knighton was 24-of-34 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Briggs and Zac Ross each had five receptions, and Alan Webster had a team-high 49 receiving yards.
Harding opens Gulf South Conference play Thursday against North Alabama in Searcy. The game will open the conference's eight-game television package on CSS.
