Premium ContentClick on Premium Content on the Featured navigation bar for information.
• Where: Hughes Stadium, Joplin, Mo.
• Radio: KVNO (90.7 FM)
Season-ending injuries have ripped a hole in the middle of Missouri Southern's defense.
UNO wouldn't mind making that hole a little wider in today's key 2 p.m. Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association game at Hughes Stadium in Joplin, Mo.
“We've had a little bit of a hard time watching film on them,” UNO coach Pat Behrns said. “Because they've had to change personnel so much.”
The Lions (1-2 overall, 1-1 MIAA) lost linebacker Jared Brawner, an All-America candidate after leading the MIAA in tackles last season, to a broken leg during the first series of the conference opener two weeks ago at Washburn.
In front of Brawner, talented 325-pound sophomore defensive tackle Brandon Williams is out because his herniated disk eventually required surgery. Behind Brawner, both safeties are out — Skyler Vandiver with a career-threatening neck injury diagnosed in fall camp and Corderial Collier with a broken ankle suffered in the season opener.
Last year against UNO, Brawner had 11 tackles, Vandiver and Collier nine each and Williams six more; they were four of the Lions' top five tacklers in the game.
Despite those departures, Missouri Southern still has five other returning starters on defense and forced seven turnovers in a 34-13 win last week over Emporia State. Six of the turnovers were interceptions.
“That was a tremendous effort, and I was proud of our guys because we showed up,” Southern coach Bart Tatum said. “We sputtered on offense early — had some short fields and didn't get points — but our defense kept hanging and banging and kept us in the game.
“It's been a challenge for us.”
UNO, specifically quarterback Zach Miller, provided too big of a challenge for Missouri Southern last season. Miller, now a tight end with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars, had one of the best games of his UNO career in a 40-21 win, accounting for five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing), rushing for 195 yards and passing for another 143 for 338 yards of total offense.
“I know Pat Behrns and I know that coaching staff, and if they can line up and run smash-mouth against us, that's what they're going to do,” Tatum said. “That guy (Miller) beat us almost single-handedly last year. But I know this kid (new UNO quarterback Greg Wunderlich) appears to be much more comfortable throwing the ball, which makes them even more dangerous in my mind.”
UNO (2-2, 1-1) has had to rely on Wunderlich's passing ability, though, because in two losses the Mavs have managed a total of only 143 rushing yards.
“We're real concerned about them physically,” Behrns said. “We were last year, too, and now Zach Miller is gone.”
Starting UNO tailback Bryce Hawthorne (Achilles, ankle) is doubtful for today, while Duane Bowen (shoulder, toe) is questionable. Senior Robert Wesley, who missed two games with an ankle injury, is expected to start, with true freshman Levi Terrell getting his first action in what was to have been a redshirt season.
“We've got to get the running game established,” UNO guard Dennis Bergland said. “We've had our struggles, but I can't really pick out what the problem has been. It's been frustrating, but you've got to pick it up and not think about the last play, not dwell on things and keep moving forward.”
UNO is trying to forget its previous two road trips this season, both losses.
Three of the Mavs' next four games — today, next Saturday at Emporia State, and Oct. 17 at Fort Hays State — are against teams projected to finish in the bottom four of the MIAA. Win those and UNO's path to a high league finish and possible Division II playoff appearance becomes clearer. Lose one and the Mavs might have to start shooting for the Mineral Water or Kanza Bowls.
“Every week is huge now if we want to make a run for the playoffs,” linebacker Kyle Moore said. “I kind of like getting opportunities to see other places, and there's nothing better than winning on the road. It's a challenge, especially this week with the long drive, but I'm actually a fan of it.”
Contact the writer:
444-1027, rob.white@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
