ST. JOSEPH – Griffon football (4-7) ended the 2017 season with a 30-0 loss to No. 18 Northwest Missouri (9-2) on Saturday.

Northwest Missouri marched down the field and scored on the opening possession of the game and never looked back, out-gaining the Griffons by 200 yards (386-186). While the Griffons struggled to move the ball against the top rated defense in the nation, its special teams put Missouri Western’s defense in a pickle. Northwest Missouri blocked three Griffon punts. The Griffons also lost four fumbles in the game, fumbling on three-straight third quarter possessions.

Missouri Western gained most of its offensive yardage in the third quarter. The Griffons rushed for 109 yards in the game, getting 51 from Shamar Griffith and 50 from Dom Marino. Through the air, Marino was 8-for-33 for 80 yards with an interception. Elijah Cunningham caught two passes for 34 yards.

The defense did its best to keep the game close. Cody Lindsay had a career-high 16 tackles with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. The senior linebacker was also credited with four quarterback hurries. Jonathan Owens finished with 13 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass break up. Missouri Western forced three Bearcat fumbles and recovered two. They also had three sacks in the game.

It was the fifth-straight loss for the Griffons, the second straight year the team lost its last five games and finished 4-7.

— MWSU Athletics —