Missouri Southern State University - Crossroads Yearbook (Joplin, MO)

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NAIA CHAMPS. Row 1: T. Calwhite, T. Starks, J. LaBlank, R. Barnes, J. Frazier, S. Hamilton, K. Stracke, D. S. Evans, E. Wuch. Row 2: M. Cole, J. Watson, T. Jackson, R. Harding, J. Varns, R. Fidler, B. Korner, D. Pendergrass, K. Howard. Row 3: L. Williams, S. Ward, M. Mitchell, L. Hill, K. Anders, P. Sallee, D. Efird, R. Hall, C. Hendricks. Row 4: M. Wilson, J. Balentine, M. Galbraith, J. Duda, J. Busalacki, N. Alkire, M. Mourglia, F. Gnerlich, R. McReynolds. Row 5: D. Guier, S. Kealoha, R. Hocker, J. Wolverton, L. Cameron, B. Busken, D. L. Evans, H. Moyer, D. Dodd. Jim Nieman outran his pursuer to gain yardage for the Lions. Defeating Doane College of Doane, Nebraska in the semi-finals, the Lions went on to defeat Northwestern College of Orange, Iowa in an exciting, down-to-the-wire ballgame. The offense, led by senior quarterback Ray Harding and supported by two returning running backs and a superbly talented offensive line, out- scored their opponents in an average of 29-7 points a game. It was a balanced offensive with Harding passing 192 yards plus 170 yards rushing per game. Harding threw 9 touchdown passes and completed 47.4% during the regular season. Lydell Williams, a freshman, added a new dimension to the Lions’ at¬ tack as a longrange scoring threat. The Gang, as the defense unit named itself, did an outstanding job as they held opponents to 7 points a game. The defensive line and linebackers proved to be brutal and savage in their execution of opposing quarterbacks and runners. The defensive backs did their share of hitting and still managed to hold the passing attack of the opponent to 85 yards per game, intercepting 23 passes and allowing only one long TD pass to be thrown against them all season long. The Big Mean Green got it all together not only for an undefeated season, but also a National Championship. Jim Frazier’s Lions earned the right to play in the play-offs by a number one rating in the NAIA Division II and a 10-0 record. Football 25

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Lydell Williams streaked down the field for a touchdown. 24 Football

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MSSC Opponent 40 Fort Hays State. 15 7 Southeast Missouri State.6 33 College of Emporia. 7 39 University of Missouri at Rolla.7 7 University of Nevada at Las Vegas.0 21 Kansas State College at Pittsburg.6 14 Washburn University . 3 14 Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia .9 52 Missouri Western. 7 63 Culver-Stockton. 12 NAIA Championship Playoff Scores 24 Doane College at Doane Nebraska.6 21 Northwestern College of Orange, Iowa.14 Starks shook off tackle and snowballed through for five yards. Starks rounded end with Doane in pursuit. Korner assisted Watson in a head-on tackle against Emporia State, left.