The Lions football team lived up to the preseason’s hype after dominating their season opener against the Southeastern Missouri Redhawks, 45-7.

Many firsts highlighted the contest, including the Lions opening their season at home, the debut of junior quarterback Bryan Bennett and the new 14×23 high-definition video board. The contest was also the first ever between the Lions and Redhawks.

The Lions (1-0) posted 309 yards rushing on the way to its first victory to open a season since 2009. Southeastern was able to hold the visiting Redhawks (0-1) to 294 total yards and score the final 31 points of the contest.

Bennett, who transferred from Oregon, had just as much hype surrounding his debut performance as the entire team, and has already made his mark on Lion football history. Bennett is the first Lion quarterback to rush over 100 yards in one game (106) since Dean Waguespack’s 122-yard tally on Oct. 15, 1977. Bennett also passed for 169 yards against the Redhawks.

In the months leading up to the game, Athletics has laid a lot of hype on Bennett’s performance and the team overall this season. However, they aren’t letting that pressure distract them.

“I really just have to worry about my game and my team,” said Bennett. “We just do what we can do to be the best that we can be. We’re preparing for every game like the biggest game; we’re going to play like we have a championship every single week. I wouldn’t say there’s any extra pressure because at the end of the day we’re going to work together to be the best that we can be.”

Bennett’s passes connected well with the sophomore running back trio of Xavier Roberson (11 carries, 54 yards), Rasheed Harrell (10 carries, 49 yards) and Kody Sutton (10 carries, 87 yards).

“We wanted to make sure that, with our running backs, we wanted 10, 10 and 10 carries; and that we wanted Bryan to have 10,” said head coach Ron Roberts. “We wanted to split that up and see what they can do.”

Like Bennett, Sutton is also a transfer, coming from Wyoming University, and began his Lion career with a victory.

“It was so exciting, just waling out there to see all of the green and gold,” said Sutton. “All the fans were excited, and with my new teammates, it was nothing but love.”

Junior linebacker Drew Misita led the Lions defensively with seven tackles. Also, sophomore defensive back Harlan Miller posted one interception, while Juniors James Scales III, Isiah Corbett, Jacob Newman and sophomore Javari Nichols were credited with sacks.

Roberson set the tone early for the game with a 65-yard kick-off return, while junior linebacker Justin Church blocked a field goal. Four plays later, Bennett dove in to put the Lions up 7-0 only a minute and a half into the game. Later Bennett would go four-for-four on a 10-play, 72-yard drive. Roberson walked in untouched from two yards out to put Southeastern up, 14-0, midway through the first quarter. The Redhawks’ only score was carried by Lennies McFerrin on a 10-play, 75-yard march and capped the drive with a six yard score to cut the split the score in half with 2:27 left in the first quarter.

The Lions kept up the pressure in the second quarter, with two touchdowns scored by Sutton and 45-yard field goal by Miller. In the third, SEMO lost any chance of victory thanks to the combined efforts of Bennett and junior tight end Jeremy Meyers, who completed a 56-yard pass into SEMO’s half of the field. On the third-and-12, Bennett ran 30 yards for a touchdown. With 14:30 left, the score stood 38-7. Junior quarterback Jordan Barnett sneaked into the end zone a few plays later, making the final score 45-7.

Throughout the preseason, Roberts has said that Lion football is looking to take the next step. According to Roberts, the team is not quite there just yet.

“It’s way too soon to tell,” said Roberts. “I think it does indicate however, that we are ready to take the next step, but that’s something to evaluate at the end of the season. I think that if we walk into and win a SLC conference and championship, we’ve taken the next step.”

The Lions now have a stretch of away games to look forward to; the first being nationally-ranked Texas Christian University (No. 20) in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We’re playing a top 20 team. It’s going to be a great opportunity for us to play against someone who’s very talented; maybe the most talented team we’ll see all year,” said Roberts. “To me, this game is about us going out and earning respect. That’s what we need to do. We need to go play a hard fought game and take them to the wire and get our respect.”