UPDATE: Jeremy Johnson, the driver of the SUV, was in a coma Friday night, former Missouri Southern coach Bart Tatum told The Chart. His family "received some hope that he might survive his injuries."

KSNF reported Patrick Holt's condition had stablized.

"Missouri Southern is a family, and it's times like this where the family definitely has to come together and support each other," Vice President of Student Affairs Darren Fullerton said Friday night at a candlelight vigil on campus.

At the vigil, Tatum said his "heart is moved by such a tremendous outpouring of love and respect for these two young men." KSNF reported Tatum planned to travel to Tulsa, Okla., Saturday to be with Jeremy Johnson.

Students wanting to talk with someone about the tragedy may call or text message the number (417) 499-3894 for University counseling. The university is planning a public memorial for sometime next week.

You can see video from the vigil and hear more from Tatum by CLICKING HERE

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EARLIER

Two Missouri Southern State University football players were killed early Friday morning when the SUV they were riding in overturned on Interstate 44, came to rest in the middle of the highway and was struck by a tractor trailer.

The SUV was headed westbound on I-44 about two miles east of Sarcoxie a little before 2:45 a.m. when it hit the median, over-corrected and flipped into the eastbound lanes, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a crash report.

Diondre Johnson, a redshirt freshman tight end, was ejected from the 2000 Nissan Pathfinder and pronounced dead at the scene. Michael McCrimmons, a freshman defensive back, was killed when the eastbound tractor trailer hit the overturned SUV.

Both Johnson and McCrimmons were from Springfield, Mo., and attended Parkview High School. Both were 19 years old.

The Pathfinder's driver, Jeremy Johnson, a 19-year-old freshman football player from Harrison, Ark., was seriously injured when he got out of the Pathfinder and was struck by an eastbound Grand Prix driven by a 62-year-old man from Wentville, Mo. The fourth passenger in the car, freshman golfer Patrick Holt, also 19, of Benton, Ark., also sustained serious injuries in the crash.

Traffic was blocked on the interstate for hours, the Joplin Globe reported.

The Chart, the MSSU student-run newspaper, reported the four were heading back to Joplin from a Springfield nightclub called 'Icon.' The club's website says Thursday night is an 18-and-up 'College Night.'

The driver of the tractor trailer and the Grand Prix were not injured, the Patrol reported.

MSSU Athletics Director Jared Bruggeman and former head football coach Bart Tatum (still on staff as an advisor until his replacement is named) joined other athletic department officials and counselors at a football team meeting Friday at noon to inform the team of the tragedy.

"At this time, everything possible is being done to support our students, their families and friends," MSSU president Dr. Bruce W. Speck said in a statement on the school's website. "Our prayers go out to their families and friends."

The University has planned a candlelight vigil for 6:30 p.m at the Flag Freedom Plaza on the campus oval.

KSPR, the ABC affiliate in Springfield, reports Parkview High School has planned a candlelight memorial for Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at JFK Stadium.