The 8th ranked Missouri Western football team used 28 unanswered points opening up a 35-7 lead late in the third which helped them to a 38-14 victory against MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Kearney. Quarterback Travis Partridge threw a career high four touchdowns and rushed for another helping MWSU to its fourth 3-0 start under Head Coach Jerry Partridge. The Griffons improve to 2-0 in MIAA play.
The Griffons got on the board first midway through the first quarter when Partridge hooked up with running back Michael Hill from 19 yards out capping a nine play 93 yard drive which was set up by a Mike Jordan’s first interception of his career. The Lopers responded early in the second quarter when running back Tommy Flanagan scampered 58 yards tying the score with 10:10 to play in the half.
The rest of the half would be back and fourth but the Griffons used an 87 yard drive which was capped by a 30 yard pitch and catch from Partridge to Derek Libby giving MWSU the 14-7 halftime lead.
At the half Missouri Western had 251 yards with Hill going 95 on 17 carries. In the air Partridge completed 10 passes for 143 and two touchdowns. David Bass led the charge defensively with six tackles, one sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss.
The Lopers had 177 total yards with 110 coming in the first quarter. Flanagan had 91 yards on 14 carries and caught three passes for 17 yards. Sam Kuck and Ryan Lendrum led the defense with six total tackles apiece.
In the third quarter the Griffons kept up the offensive pressure scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions. Tyron Crockom made a nice run after catch for a 20 yards touchdown reception giving MWSU the 21-7 lead with 10:34 to play in the third. Partridge then hooked up with tight end Reggie Jordan for his fourth touchdown pass of the game from 11 yards out giving the Griffons the 28-7 lead with 7:12 to play in the third.
The final touchdown came on a 42 yard rush from Partridge putting the Griffons up 35-7 late in the third. The Lopers put one more touchdown on board before the game was over while MWSU kicker Taylor Anderson connected from 27 yards out giving the Griffons the 24 point victory.
MWSU finished the night with 549 yards of total offense with 351 coming on the ground. Hill finished with 160 yards on 24 carries and now needs just 57 to become MWSU’s all-time leading rusher. He also needs just 10 carries to become the Griffons all-time leader in carries.
Partridge completed 15-of-26 passes for 198 yards and four touchdowns. Tyron Crockom had 46 yards on four catches while Kyle Knox had 70 yards on three catches.
The Lopers had 320 yards of total offense with 193 coming on the ground. Flanagan had 106 on 16 carries with one touchdown while Daniel Rankin had 52 yards on five carries. Kuck led the way defensively with 11 tackles for UNK. The Lopers fall to 0-3 overall and 0-3 in MIAA play.
The Griffons had four players with seven tackles (David Bass, Jordan Nicholas, Ben Pister and Austin Baska). Bass had three unassisted tackles and four assisted.
MWSU returns to action on Saturday, September 22 making its first road trip of the season. The Griffons will take on the Fort Hays State Tigers with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 pm.
— MWSU Sports Information —