Versus

When: Saturday, December 2, Noon Kickoff

Where: Blakeslee Stadium, Mankato, Minnesota

Weather: 50 Degrees and Sunny @ Kickoff

How and Where to Watch/Listen

LIVE AUDIO: Lion Sports Network — KETR 88.9 FM, Commerce (http://www.ketr.org)
LIVE VIDEO: HERE
LIVE STATS: HERE

Starters:

Offense-Spread

QB-Luis Perez, 6’3 220 LBS, SR, San Diego, CA

RB-Carandal Hale, 5’11 190 LBS, R-FR, Greenville, TX

WR-D’Arthur Cowan, 6’3, 185 LBS, SR, Olive Branch, MS

WR-Buck Wilson, 5’11, 185 LBS, SR, Commerce, TX

WR-Darrion Landry, 6’0, 200 LBS, JR, Baytown, TX

TE-Vincent Hobbs, 6’3, 255 LBS, JR, Mesquite, TX

OL-Poet Thomas, 6’6, 325 LBS, SR, Beverly Hills, MI

OL-Lane Hasse, 6’6, 315 LBS SOPH, Weimar, TX

OL- John Aguilar, 6’1, 280 LBS, SR, Lubbock, TX

OL-Jared Machorro, 6’7, 280 LBS, SR, Coldspring, TX

OL-Jordan Smith, 6’4, 315 LBS, JR, Mansfield, TX

Defense-(3-4 Multiple)

DE-Peyton Searcy, 6’0, 275 LBS, JR, Killeen, TX

DE-Michael Onuoha, 6’5 255 LBS, JR, Edmond, OK

NT-D.D. Fletcher, 6’1, 240 LBS, SOPH, Arlington, TX

LB-Brucks Saathoff, 6’0 195 LBS, JR, San Antonio, TX

LB-Garrett Blubaugh, 6’2, 220 LBS, SOPH, Keller, TX

LB-Mark Westbrook, 5’11, 195 LBS, SOPH, Schertz, TX

LB-Kieston Carter, 5’11 200 LBS, SR, Mexia, TX

CB-Yusef Sterling-Lowe, 6’2, 170 LBS, SR, Oakland, CA

CB-D.J. White, 6’1, 160 LBS, JR, Spring, TX

FS-Chris Smith, 6’1, 170 LBS, JR, Mansfield, TX

SS-Alex Shillow, 5’10 185 LBS, FR, Pflugerville, TX

PK-Kristov Martinez, 5’6, 135 LBS, JR, Edinburg, TX

PR-Shawn Hooks, 5’8, 165 LBS, SR, Dangerfield, TX

KR-Buck Wilson, 5’11, 185 LBS, SR, Commerce, TX

P- Tristan Perry, 6’1, 200 LBS, FR, Mineral Wells, TX

Storylines: First, a huge tip of the cap to Russell McLean who did an absolutely fantastic job on the previews for this week. I just cannot say enough about what a great job he did by taking over for the week. I could not have been happier with his work and I am glad he was able to use some of that sports acumen that he has and show how talented of a writer he is. Expect more from him in the future.

It has been almost exactly 37 years since the Lions have faced a number 1 team in a playoff setting. That year, 1980, saw the Lions knock off top ranked Central Arkansas en route to a national semifinalist finish. This year, it means almost as much. Win this game, and you are in the national semifinals and have gone farther than ANY Lion team since 1982, when the Lions joined the NCAA. That also sets the Lions up for potentially a huge game in the National semifinals possibly in Commerce. However this task is simple, beat Minnesota State. They do that by doing these things.

1. On offense, get on the attack and stay on the attack from the opening gun. MSU does not like to defend the pass, especially verticals and intermediate routes. Make them do something they do not like to do.
2. Defense, just play gap control. MSU is big, but this one is going to come down to who win up front. If the D-Line controls the Mavericks, the Lions will win. On the flip side, if the O-Line gives Perez time to throw, the Lions will win. This game will be won and lost in the trenches.
3. Special teams need some big returns and hopefully Shawn Hooks returns to the lineup. The punting of true freshman Tristan Perry has been great and needs to stay that way for the Lions to increase their chances of winning, and Kristov Martinez, just keep being Kristov.
4. No stupid penalties such as unsportsmanlikes, and dead ball and procedure penalties.
5. Be humbly confident.