Missouri Western racks up 547 yards of offense improving to 6-0 overall and 5-0 in MIAA play. The Griffons scored 31 first quarter points and four different Griffons scored touchdowns in the game. MWSU forced four NSU turnovers and controlled the time of possession having the ball for over 31 minutes.
The Griffons opened up the contest on fire on both sides of the ball scoring 31 first quarter points on their way to a 41-7 halftime lead. The Griffons took the opening drive 75 yards on four plays which was sparked by a 53 yard scamper on the opening play of the game by Raphael Spencer. The drive was capped by a 22 yard run by Travis Partridge.
The RiverHawks responded nicely going 82 yards on seven plays which was helped by a personal foul on MWSU and missed tackles. They tied the score at seven on a 25 yard run by Terrance Dixon. The rest of the quarter was all Griffons. Partridge scored his second touchdown of the game on a two yard run with 8:55 to play in the quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff the Griffons forced a fumble by Vernon Jones which was recovered by Brock Kimball. MWSU went 22 yards on five plays which was capped by a John Schmiemeier 24 yard field goal giving MWSU the 17-7 advantage. The Griffon defense forced a punt by NSU which they then took 91 yards on nine plays. Partridge hit Derek Libby for a 40 yard bomb helping prolong the drive. Partridge connected with Alek Ferbet from 10 yards out giving MWSU the 24-7 lead with 2:39 to playin the quarter. The catch and touchdown was Ferbet’s second of his career.
MWSU then got a sack fumble from Nick Williams which set up a 23 yard touchdown run from Spencer capping the first quarter scoring at 31-7 in favor of Missouri Western.
In the second quarter the Griffons used a career long 54 yard field goal from John Schmiemeier and a 23 yard run from Dominic Thomas taking the 41-7 lead into the locker room.
The Griffons racked up 413 yards of total offense in the half with 223 coming through the air as Partridge completed 17-of-26 passes with one touchdown. Libby and Reggie Jordan each had four receptions. Spencer led the way on the ground with 94 yards on five carries and one touchdown.
The RiverHawks had 151 yards of offense with 87 coming through the air. Thor Long completed just 6-of-16 passes with one interception. On the ground Terrance Dixon rushed for 47 yards on seven carries with a touchdown.
Defensively Austin Baska led the Griffons with five tackles while Kyler Harris led NSU with eight.
Missouri Western opened up the second half scoring when Spencer ran in from nine yards out giving MWSU the 48-7 lead with 9:18 to play in the third. NSU got a 29 yard field goal from Drew Patton cutting the lead to 48-10 after three.
The fourth Griffon player scored a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter when Tra Brown went in from 12 yards out with 2:16 to play in the game giving MWSU the 54-10 victory. This marks the second consecutive season that the Griffons opened 6-0.
The Griffons forced four turnovers in the victory holding NSU to just 306 total yards. The Griffons had 311 rushing yards with Spencer going for 115 while Brown finished with 74. Partridge finished with 219 passing yards with Libby leading the way with 77 receiving yards.
NSU had 196 yards passing with 53 coming on the last drive of the game when Cory Meaders completed 3-of-6 passes for 53 yards. Long finished with 143 yards and two interceptions. Dixon led the way with 61 rushing yards while Steven hopper had 42 on eight carries.
Kalan Booker and Wallace Carter each got interceptions for the Griffons as Stephen Juergens led the charge with seven total tackles.
NSU falls to 0-6 overall and in the MIAA. Langston Jones and Kyler Harris both had 12 tackles.
The Griffons return to action on Saturday, October 19 when they travel to Joplin, Mo. to take on the Missouri Southern Lions. Game time is set for 6:00 pm from Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —