ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For the second time during the 2021 calendar year, Missouri Baptist will have football on campus when the Lyon College Scots arrive on Saturday for the Spartans' home opener. Jason Burianek's squad have their hopes set high on a rebound season after a limited season in the spring.
 
The Offense
Several key contributors from the spring return for the Spartans, including starting quarterback Josh Munn, wide receiver Tyler Ball, running back Felix Pippenger, and nearly the entire offensive line.

• QB - Josh Munn (2020-21): 79-156, 5 TD, 965 passing yards
• WR - Tyler Ball (2020-21): 8 receptions, 168 receiving yards, 1 TD
• RB - Felix Pippenger (2020-21): 43 rushing attempts, 162 rushing yards, 2 TD

Despite a having a tough time scoring points the spring, newly named offensive coordinator Shawn Schnabel and the MBU offense has a lot of potential heading into the new season. The running game contains several capable returning running backs to choose from in Pippenger, Ronald Allen, Darius Morrison, and Devin Wills. Under center is MSFA Midwest Honorable Mention quarterback Josh Munn as he continues to impress and will look to improve behind an offensive line full of veterans who only surrendered three sacks in seven games last year.  Catching passes will be tight ends Easton Locke and Rahkeem Hawkins, while Tyler Ball, Ke'Vaughn Gaines, and a young receiving corps will handle things on the outside. 
 
The Defense
Despite losing Michael Malone, Charles Coe's defense remains impressive on paper as they return five players who were selected to an MSFA Midwest All-Conference team last year.

• SS - Jaylen Cowley (2020-21): 42 tackles, 20 solo tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 1 INT
• DL - Jeremiah Austin (2020-21): 32 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks
• DB – Joe King (2020-21): 37 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 4 interceptions
• LB – Blake Kight (2020-21): 52 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 1 INT, two fumble returns
• DL – Rakweon Ramsey (2020-21): 31 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks

Up front, the defense has a chance to be dominant with all-conference pass rushers Jeremiah Austin and Rakweon Ramsey on the ends. Both players made a huge impact last season and will be helped by tackles Anthony Graham and Marcus Paddack. Lined up behind them will be All-Conference Honorable Mention linebacker Blake Kight and Collin Thomas who is searching for a bounce-back season. After playing in just two games in the spring due to injury, Thomas is looking to get back to his 2019 form where he collected 51 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and two interceptions in 11 games. All-American strong safety Jaylen Cowley will anchor the secondary alongside all-conference defensive back Joe King, and cornerback Terrell Powell. With so many high-caliber players returning to the lineup in 2021, the Spartan defense has the capability of shutting down offenses all season long.
 
Scouting the Lyon College Scots
Like the Spartans, Lyon College is looking for a rebound season in 2021 after going 0-5 in the spring. The Scots were picked to finish sixth out of 10 teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference this season despite returning several All-SAC recipients from the 2020-21 spring campaign.

• WR – J.D. Horn (2020-21): 21 receptions, 297 receiving yards
• RB – Bradley Dee (2020-21): 57 rushing attempts, 173 rushing yards
• RB – Dakota Braswell (2020-21): 50 rushing attempts, 109 rushing yards, 1 TD
• DB – Balah Muhammad (2020-21): 34 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3 pass breakups
• LB – Cole Peppers (2020-21): 47 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• LB – Chris Reese (2020-21): 48 tackles, 20 solo tackles, 1.5 TFLs

On offense, the Scots were able to keep a pair of Second Team All-SAC recipients in the lineup with J.D. Horn lining up on the outside and Bradley Dee at running back. They also return key running back Dakota Braswell who posted 109 rushing yards and a touchdown on 50 attempts in five games last season. Protecting them will be all-conference linemen Malcolm Howard and Jason Vakasiuola. On defense, Lyon has a formidable secondary core in Balah Muhammad, Cole Peppers, and Chris Reese who led the defense last season.
 
The Spartans open the 2021 regular season against the Scots at Spartan Field on Saturday, August 28 at 6 p.m. Buy single game tickets at mbuspartans.universitytickets.com or tune in on the Spartan Digital Network with play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Paulus and color commentator Guy Danhoff.