Box Score Box Score
JOPLIN, Mo. - Missouri Southern senior quarterback Adam Hinspeter completed 26-of-45 passes for a school-record 422 yards and five touchdowns, as the Lions defeated Harding 45-31 on Saturday at Fred G. Hughes Stadium. It was Missouri Southern's third consecutive victory over Harding and second straight in Joplin.
Two of Hinspeter's strikes came in the second quarter when Missouri Southern extended its lead to 24-7 with less than a minute left in the half. Sophomore Kyle Young intercepted a Hinspeter pass that led to a 20-yard David Knighton touchdown pass to Kurt Adams that cut the advantage to 24-14.
Harding battled offensively, cutting the Missouri Southern lead to seven points on two occasions. But every time the Bisons scored, Hinspeter and the Lions had an answer.
Harding opened the third quarter with a 22-yard Ryan Ferrell field goal to cut the lead to 24-17, but Hinspeter followed that with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Thompson with 8:54 left in the third.
Adams then made a great catch down the sidelines for a 70-yard touchdown that trimmed the lead to 31-24 at 8:33 in the third. Missouri Southern answered with a seven-play, 73-yard drive that ended on a Ronnell Newman three-yard run. The Lions led by at least two scores the rest of the way.
Knighton had an outstanding game, as well. The senior Harlon Hill Award candidate from Seminole, Okla., completed 31-of-61 for 365 yards and two touchdowns. It was his 12th consecutive game with two or more touchdown passes and his eighth game with 300 or more passing yards.
Adams had a career-high 179 yards on six receptions with two touchdowns. His effort was topped only by Missouri Southern's Mark Henderson who had nine receptions for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Missouri Southern compiled 551 total yards, while Harding had 383. The passing game worked well for the Bisons considering that the team had only 18 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Hinspeter had six touchdown passes and no interceptions in three career games against the Bisons. Harding had three interceptions Saturday, but Hinspeter ran his career touchdown total to 11.
Knighton moved into seventh in Gulf South Conference history with 535 career completions. He also moved to 10th all-time with 6,486 passing yards. Knighton holds the Harding record in both categories.
The loss was Harding's first in a season opener since a 14-11 defeat at Texas A&M-Commerce in 2001.
Harding opens its home schedule next Saturday against West Alabama at First Security Stadium.
