TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The Missouri Western football team scored 14 points in nine seconds Saturday to overcome a 7-point deficit and defeat Northeastern State 24-17.

Donte Watkins scooped a fumble and took it 14 yards with 5:50 remaining to give the Griffons their first lead since early in the second quarter. Watkins touchdown came nine seconds after Brandynn Clark’s 21-yard touchdown catch that tied the game at 17. It was the first time Missouri Western rallied from a fourth quarter deficit since Sept. 5, 2015 when the team defeated Central Missouri 10-9.

The Griffon defense forced six Northeastern State turnovers, including five interceptions. They also held the RiverHawks to just 215 yards, but three MWSU turnovers, eight penalties combined with four red zone trips that didn’t result in points, led to the Griffons trailing 17-10 in the first quarter.

Northeastern State passed for 109 yards and rushed for 106. The RiverHawks averaged just 3.4 yards per play The Griffons totaled 428 yards with 302 coming through the air and 126 on the ground. Raphael Spencer ended the game with 145 yards rushing by himself but 28 lost yards, mainly on four sacks hurt the team total. Skyler Windmiller finished 18-34 passing for 302 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. The team narrowly missed having a 100-yard receiver in three-straight games. Alek Ferbet finished with four catches for 99 yards. Clark had five catches for 65 yards.

Yomi Alli led the defense with nine total tackles. Watkins and Jorge Belcher each had seven. Watkins added the fumble recover for a TD and an interception. Four other players pulled down interceptions for the Griffon defense: Jonathan Owens, Darrian Bass, Sam Brown and Michael Jordan.

The win moved MWSU to 2-1 on the season. Lindenwood makes its first ever trip to Spratt Stadium next Saturday for Founder’s Day and Family Day at Missouri Western.  The kickoff is at 2:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on 680 KFEQ AM.

— MWSU Athletics —