Motivation easy to find for Southern

By Jim Henry (Joplin Globe)

Motivation won’t be a problem for Missouri Southern in Saturday night’s MIAA opener at No. 7 Pittsburg State. “It’s going to be a great atmosphere,” Lions running back Toderick Hunt said. “A lot of people, the adrenaline is going to be pumping. I know for me when it’s like that, that’s when I perform the best because it’s time to go. It’s time to go.” A sold-out Carnie Smith Stadium likely will be at a higher pitch as they view the new $1.7 million “Jungletron” for the first time. “I’m looking forward to (the game) a lot,” cornerback Justin Cowper said. “The last time I played there was 2006 as a freshman. The crowd and the atmosphere, it doesn’t so much bother you. It amps you up more and gives you adrenaline so you can play more to your ability.” Then there’s the streak. The Lions haven’t beaten Pittsburg State since 1993, and they haven’t won at PSU since 1983. The Gorillas’ 31-28 victory last year in Joplin — the Lions scored twice in the final five minutes to whittle a 31-14 deficit — was the smallest margin of victory since a 15-14 decision in 1995 in Joplin. The Lions’ last lead against PSU was 12-7 in the second quarter in 2002 (PSU won 50-12), and the Lions’ last halftime lead was 7-0 in 1996 (PSU won 21-7). However, streaks aren’t the primary focus of the Lions. And, this week won’t make or break the season. “None of us came here to beat Pittsburg State,” Lions head coach Bart Tatum said. “Joplin people are going to be mad about that because that’s what they care about, beating Pittsburg. “But that’s not why we’re here as coaches and players. We’re here to build a championship-caliber program. It doesn’t matter what happens Saturday. We have eight games left after Saturday, and everything we want will still be right there in front of us. No matter what happens, win, lose ... we have to regroup Sunday. We have the No. 5 team in the country (Nebraska-Omaha) coming to town next Saturday.” Hunt ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 66-9 victory over Haskell in his busiest game since suffering a knee injury in November 2006. “