Missouri Western Athletics

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – After gettting back into the win column last week in Hays, Kansas, Griffon Football returns to the Sunflower State for a matchup with Washburn. The Griffons will play their first day game of the 2014 season.

The Series
When these two teams hook up, anything is possible. Recent games in the series have produced nail biters, barn burners, knock down drag outs and weather interrupted marathons. Last season, the Griffons had to recover an onside kick by the Ichabods to preserve a three-point victory after Washburn scored 21 points over 1:30 of the game’s final two minutes. That game came after two, rare blowout wins – one each for the Griffs and ‘Bods. Six of the last nine games have been decided by single digits. Missouri Western has won two straight in the series and holds a 23-17-2 all-time lead against Washburn.

The Griffons
Missouri Western is 4-2 after a 16-7 win at Fort Hays last week. Missouri Western’s defense continues to impress, improving to sixth in the nation in scoring defense (12.3). Missouri Western ranks in the top half of the MIAA in a handful of defensive categories.

Raphael Spencer is second in the MIAA in rushing and has moved to sixth on the MWSU all-time rushing list. His 165 yards against the Tigers last week were a season high and helped MWSU improve to 4-0 this season when Spencer eclipses 100 yards on the ground.

The Ichabods
Two quarterbacks have split snaps for Washburn this season. Mitch Buhler and Zeke Palmer have each started three games with Buhler passing for 614 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Palmer has three tds and six picks with 719 yards.

Vershon Moore leads the ‘Bods on the ground once again. Moore has carried the ball 99 times for 445 yards and three touchdowns. Moore has also caught the second most passes on the team with 19 recpetions for 173 yards.