The Missouri Western football team tied the record for most wins in a season winning its ninth game of the year defeating the 25th ranked Washburn Ichabods 56-28 on Senior Day from Spratt Stadium. Michael Hill scampered for a career best 259 yards and three touchdowns and now holds the record for most rushing yards in regular season games with 1,688 on the season. The Griffons honored 22 seniors before the game as the have now won 35 games in their four year career. MWSU has won nine games in the following years (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and now 2012). MWSU sits at 9-1 overall and 8-1 in MIAA play.
The Griffons started the first quarter with tons of momentum. Linebacker Nick Williams snatched an interception out of the air on Washburn’s second drive, and after Travis Partridge ran a quarterback sneak for a 5-yard touchdown, Partridge hit Tyron Crockom across the middle for a 45-yard score to go ahead 14-0.
Running back Michael Hill added a 36-yard touchdown to make the score 21-0 after one quarter of play.
MWSU carried the momentum into the next quarter. The Griffons drove 91 yard on five plays and finished with a 3-yard touchdown by Hill to go ahead 28-0.
Following that score, Ichadbod’s running back Hayden Groves scored on a 71-yarder to draw the Ichabods closer, making the game 28-7 midway through the second quarter.
Washburn drew within two scores late in the first half as Kameron Stewart piled into the end zone on a 2-yard run to make the game 28-14 heading into the break. Hill rushed for 145 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowsn while Reggie Jordan caught two passes for 42 yards. Ben Jackson led the charge with five tackles.
The Ichabods had 214 yards in the opening half with 128 coming on the ground. Hayden Groves had 103 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown while Matt Kobbeman had five catches for 47 yards. Calvin Kenney had six tackles while Willie Williams had five.
Missouri Western broke the game open in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points to take the game 56-14. The Griffons opened up the half going 80 yards on five plays which was capped off by a Travis Partridge one yard touchdown plunge. Hill rushed for his third touchdown of the game on the next possession capping an 80 yard 13 play drive. Two more touchdowns one by Raphael Spencer and one by Partridge gave the Griffons the 56-14 lead with 9:43 to play in the game.
Washburn tacked on two late touchdowns as they fell to 7-3 overall and 7-3 in MIAA play.
Griffon place kicker Taylor Anderson set the record for most extra points in a row with 63 in his career and now has 57 in a row this season. The Griffons finished with 569 yards with 418 coming on the ground. Spencer had 69 yards and a touchdown while Travis Partridge had 42 yards on seven carries and three touchdowns.
Defensively Ray Cottman finished with eight tackles while Dan Ritter pitched in seven.
Washburn had 375 yards with 177 on the ground and 198 threw the air. Groves finished with 123 while Kameron Stewart had 57 and a touchdown. Joel Piper completed 13-of-24 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while Tore’ Hurst caught six passes for 106 yards. Willimas finished with 14 tackles.
The Griffons close out the regular season next weekend against rival Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. The game will be broadcasted on the MIAA Network with kickoff changed from 1:00 pm to 2:37 pm from Bearcat Stadium. The winner of the game will be the out right MIAA Conference Champion.
— MWSU Sports Information —