For the first time since October 19, 2002 against Southwest Baptist (28-0) the Missouri Western football team recorded a shutout. Western defeated the Langston University Lions 47-0 in their first non-conference action of the season improving to 2-1.Western finished the game with 476 yards of total offense with 258 coming on the ground and 218 through the air.
Western took the opening kickoff right down the field but an interception by Langston defensive back Isaiah Ross on the goal line ended the Griffon threat. Western stopped the Lions on their first possession and then an Isaac Collins blocked punt set the Griffons up on the Langston seven yard line. Michael Hill plunged in from seven yards out for his first touchdown of the season and the Griffons first of the game with 10:43 to play in the first quarter.
The Lions took the next possession into Griffon territory but Western was able to stuff the Lions on a fourth and four. The Griffons took the ball 59 yards on 12 plays on the next possession with Taylor Anderson connecting on a 26 yard field goal with 2:28 to play in the half. Cody Kremer intercepted a Darrion Lewis pass on the next possession and once again Western had a nice drive going 49 yards on five plays with Anderson connecting on a 22 yard field goal putting the Griffons up 13-0 late in the first quarter.
Western continued to play well on both sides of the ball in the second quarter but only came away with two more Anderson field goals. One from 26 yards out and one from 19 yards out as time expired in the half helping Western to the 19-0 halftime lead.
Western had 234 yards at the half with Hill rushing 15 times for 57 yards and one touchdown. Reggie Jordan rushed once on a fake punt for 57 yards midway through the second quarter. Partridge connected on 7-of-19 passes for 105 yards as Adam Clausen had 48 yards on two catches which included a 42 yarder. Tom Madget led the Griffons with six tackles in the frame.
Lincoln had 96 yards in the half as Carlos Ross rushed six times for 17 yards. Lewis completed 10-23 passes with two interceptions. Darrow Barnes had four catches for 36 yards. Defensively Cayetano Hingle had five tackles leading the way for Langston.
The Griffon came out more determined in the second half scoring on their first play from scrimmage when Partridge connected with Tarrell Downing from 53 yards out putting Western up 26-0 early in the third quarter. Western scored again on a Partridge pitch and catch to Hill from four yards out with 8:42 to play in the quarter capping off a six play 55 yard drive.
Before the quarter was over Western tacked on one more touchdown when Partridge plunged in from one yard out as he accounted for three touchdowns in the game (2 passing, 1 rushing) capping off a four play 28 yard drive putting Western up 40-0 going into the fourth quarter.
Western put the icing on the cake late in the fourth when Dominic Thomas plunged in from ten yards giving Western the 47-0 victory.
The Griffons had another outstanding day defensively finishing with 10 tackles for a loss and five sacks. They also had three interceptions and blocked two punts. They put pressure on the Langston quarterbacks all day with five quarterback hurries. Madget finished with eight tackles while Bass had two sacks. Ben Pister had 1.5 sacks and four tackles.
Offensively Hill finished with 91 yards on 19 carries and onetouchdowns while Jerrin Walton had 47 on seven carries. Partridge had 199 yards through the air with two touchdown connecting on 12-of-24 passes. Hill had three catches while Clausen had two and Jordan had two for 36 yards.
The Lions had 212 yards with Ross finishing with 40 yards on 11 carries. Lewis had 99 yards passing connecting on 13-of-31 passes with three interceptions. Barnes had four catches for 36 yards. Hingle finished the game with 12 tackles and one sack.
Western hits the road for the first time this season when they travel to Topeka, Kan. to take on the 13th Washburn Ichabods in a nationally televised contest on Thursday, September 22. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm from Yager Stadium. The game will be on CBS College Sports Network.
— MWSU Sports Information —