ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team surrendered 24 unanswered points in the second half, falling 31-27 at No. 15 Pittsburg State Saturday afternoon.
Missouri Western took a 27-7 lead to halftime after a dominant first two quarters. Pittsburg State regained climbed in it early in the second half on a 15-play, 65-yard drive that took 6:44 off the clock and pulled the Gorillas within two scores on a 1-yard touchdown run by Jeff Seybold. The Pittsburg State defense answered the bell, forcing a three-and-out on the Griffons’ first drive of the third quarter that set the momentum for the half.
Missouri Western had a promising drive end in an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter. Darnell Walker’s interception on a tunnel screen intended for Dee Toliver ended a 10-play, 48-yard MWSU Drive at the Pittsburg State 29. The interception set up a 27-yard Gorilla field goal to pull Pitt State within three, 27-24. Pittsburg State threatened again on their next drive but a sack and strip by Cody Lindsay that was recovered by Daylon Harper set the Griffons up at their own 37 with 9:31 left in the game and the three-point lead. The drive ended at the Pittsburg State 24 with 4:41 left when Josh Caldwell was stuffed for a 1-yard loss and a 4th and three play. The turnover on downs set up what would be the game winning touchdown for the Gorillas, a 7-yard rush by Jamal Tyler with 1:23 left in the game. MWSU completed two passes for a total of 17 yards turning it over on downs to Pittsburg State, ending the game.
Pittsburg State ended the game with 412 yards of total offense after having just over 120 at halftime. The Griffons ended with 341 yards, with a little over 90 coming in the second half. Raphael Spencer finished the game with 74 yards rushing on 22 carries. Skyler Windmiller was 10 of 26 through the air, completing just three passes in the second half. Toliver gave the Griffons their fourth 100-yard receiving game, catching three passes for 101 yards, that included an 84-yard touchdown pass. Micheal Jordan and Jonathan Owens led the Griffon defense with seven tackle each. Lindsay finished with two sacks, four tackles for loss a forced fumble and two pass break ups. Darian Bass added an interception in the first half.
The loss dropped Missouri Western to 3-2 on the year. The Griffons host Fort Hays State next week in the Hall of Fame game at 1 p.m.
— MWSU Athletics —