Missouri Western struggled in its 2011 season opener falling 34-7 against Pittsburg State University. The Griffons fell at home in a season opener for the first time since August 26, 2004 when they fell 27-10 against 18th ranked Winona State. Western sits at 0-1 on the season and 0-1 in MIAA play.
Pittsburg State dominated the opening frame of the 2011 season out gaining the Griffons 229 to 84 in total yardage. The Gorillas put up 14 points in the first and second quarter taking a 28-0 lead at the half.
A 46 yard punt by Griffon punter Scott Groner on MWSU’s opening possession was returned 84 yards by PSU’s Johns Brown giving the Gorillas the 7-0 lead with 11:19 to play. The Gorillas scored again with 1:45 to play in the quarter after a Zac Dickey 44 yard run capping a six play 81 yard drive.
Things did not getting any better for Western in the second quarter as the Gorillas scored at the 7:05 mark off a four yard run by Solomon Watkins. Briceton Wilson gave the Gorillas the 28-0 lead just before half plunging in from one yard out with 10 seconds to play in the frame.
The Griffons were led on the ground by Michael Hill rushing for 34 yards on 10 carries. Travis Partridge went 7-for-14 with two interceptions and 62 yards while TJ Fannin caught two passes for 45 yards. Jeremy Western had four tackles leading the Griffons defense. Groner punted five times for 244 yard (48.8 ypp) with a long of 64 yards.
The Gorillas had 117 yards on the ground with Dickey leading the way with 61 yards on six attempts and one touchdown. Dickey completed 10-of-14 attempts for 112 yards with Brown catching four passes for 70 yards. John White led the way with five tackles and one sack for PSU.
The Gorillas continued to play well in the second half using two Chase McCoy field goals of 22 and 38 yards pushing the score to 34-0 late in the fourth quarter. The Griffons best chance to score came early in the second half but a fumble inside the PSU five ended the Griffon threat.
The Griffons scored late in the contest on a Dominic Thomas 60 yard touchdown with 1:52 to play in the game ending any chance of being shutout.
The Griffon managed just eight first downs and 191 yards of total offense. Thomas led the way on the ground rushing four times for 68 yards while Hill rushed 14 times for 44 yards. Partridge finished the game completing 10-of-20 passes for 79 yards while being sacked five times.
Gronner finished the game punting nine times for 414 yards and an average of 46.0 yards. He had three inside the 20.
The Gorillas finished with 426 yards of total offense with Dickey rushing 15 times for 117 yards. Wilson rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown while Brown caught four passes for 70 yards.
Nic Burrell led the charge for Western on defense with seven tackles (5 solo, 2 assists) while the Gorillas were led by Gus Toca and Joe Uzzel with six apiece.
Western will return home for their second straight MIAA home game to open the season when they host #15 Central Missouri in an MIAA Televised game on Saturday, September 10. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm on Family Day in Spratt Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —