MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Missouri Western football team had its opportunities in the season opener at No. 5 Northwest Missouri on Thursday night, but missed chances resulted in a 28-6 loss at Bearcat Stadium.
It looked to be a game from the get-go as the Missouri Western defense forced a three-and-out on the Bearcats’ first offensive drive. Missouri Western had the first scoring chance of the game, driving to the Northwest Missouri 27-yard line before Tyler Basch missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. It was Basch’s first miss since Sept. 30 of last season. That drive and Northwest’s ensuing drive, that ended with a 52-yard touchdown pass, really told the story of the game.
A couple big plays from the Northwest offense and drives that stalled for the Griffons led to the score looking much different than the stat sheet. Northwest managed 368 yards of offense in the game, but 146 of it came on its three touchdown plays. Missouri Western held Northwest to 4-of-13 on third down in the game and 216 passing yards. The Griffon defense held Northwest to just 16 plays and 36 yards in the third quarter, but the offense was limited by the Bearcat defense in the quarter. The Griffons sacked Northwest quarterback Braden Wright twice, including a strip sack by Kwentin Polk that Anthony Williams recovered in the fourth quarter.
Missouri Western’s offense had its chances, totaling 347 yards of offense, 121 on the ground and 226 through the air. The Griffons did lose one fumble deep in Northwest territory, but the defense held and Northwest ended the drive with a missed field goal. Dom Marino was not sacked in the game, leading Missouri Western with 75 yards rushing while passing for 226 yards. Keylan Mack caught seven passes for 67 yards while Elijah Cunningham pulled in three passes for 64 yards.
The Griffons play their first home game of 2018 next week, hosting No. 5 Fort Hays State on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m. Fort Hays State came from behind in the fourth quarter to defeat No. 18 Central Missouri, 20-16.
— MWSU Athletics —