JOPLIN, Missouri -- Midwestern State opens up the 2025 season on the road with a trip to Missouri Southern. Kickoff at Fred G. Hughes Stadium on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. The Mustangs and Lions are meeting in the season opener for the second straight year.

Mustang fans can listen to the game at https://lonestarconferencenetwork.com/mwsu/ with coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. The game can be seen pay-per-view on the MIAA Network at https://www.themiaanetwork.com/mssulions/.

Last year, Rich Renner began his tenure as the head coach at Midwestern State with an 18-11 win over Missouri Southern at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls, Texas. It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

The Mustangs limited Missouri Southern to 241 yards of total offense. Running back Devin Cross capped a four-play, 39-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run to break an 11-11 tie with 4:12 to play in the fourth quarter, and the Mustangs held on for the victory.

Midwestern State finished last season with a 4-7 record, including a 3-6 mark in the Lone Star Conference. 

Missouri Southern opened last season with four straight losses before defeating Northeastern State, 27-20, and the Lions closed out the season with a 2-9 record, winning one of five games at home. Missouri Southern was 1-8 in the MIAA last year.

Atiba Bradley begins his fifth season as the head coach at Missouri Southern. Bradley was a two-time All-MIAA honorable mention pick as a linebacker at MSSU and finished his career with 224 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for a loss. He forced four fumbles and had three fumble recoveries during his career. He also returned his only interception 37 yards for the Lions.

Missouri Southern was selected to finish the 2025 season 10th in both the 2025 MIAA preseason coaches' poll and the 2025 preseason media poll.

Among the standout players for the Lions are senior linebacker Colton Bass, who earned 2024 All-MIAA Honorable Mention, and running back Nathan Glades, an All-MIAA second team running back in 2022. Glades did not compete last year due to injury. 

In his career, Glades has rushed for 2,015 yards on 435 carries with 13 touchdowns. He also has 35 receptions for 237 yards over three seasons.

Bass made 74 tackles for the Lions last season (38 solo, 36 assists), including one sack and 3.5 tackles for loss. Bass had two interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered one fumble.

Midwestern State All-Lone Star Conference wide receiver Demonte Greene is back for his sophomore campaign. Greene tied for the team lead with 35 receptions, and he led the team with 550 yards receiving last season. Greene also had a team-leading five touchdown catches and was named the Lone Star Conference Freshman of the Year in 2024.

Junior defensive end Kam'rin Devault, who had four solo tackles and one tackle for loss in the win over Missouri Southern last year, returns to the Mustangs this season. Devault scored the first points of the Rich Renner era with a safety in the first quarter against Missouri Southern last year.

Jakolby Longino is expected to start at quarterback in the season opener for Midwestern State. The left-handed senior from Houston transferred to MSU from Lamar after appearing in nine games last season, completing 30-of-53 passes (.566) for 370 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for 83 yards on 29 carries with a touchdown. 

Joseph Carlson returns for his second season as the placekicker for the Mustangs. The graduate student from Frisco, Texas, was second team Associated Press DII All-American Kicker last season, hitting a school-record 17 field goals. Carlson led the Mustangs with 73 points last season, and he was the NCAA Division II statistical champion for field goals made per game.

Midwestern State hosts Western Colorado in the home opener at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 6. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.