Missouri Western Athletics

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Football wraps up the regular season this Saturday with a challenging trip to Joplin to face Missouri Southern. The Griffons enter with their 12th consecutive winning season in the MIAA already sewn up. Meanwhile, Missouri Southern is looking for their fifth win of the year after a promising year in 2013.,

Just two games separate the all-time series between Missouri Western and,Missouri Southern, with the Lions holding a 23-21 advantage. During the Jerry,Partridge era, neither team has won more than five in a row, with MWSU,winning each game between 1999 and 2003. Missouri Southern and Northwest,Missouri State are the only MIAA opponents to hold a winning record against,the Griffons since 2009, with Southern holding a 3-2 advantage in the last five,matchups. The two teams have traded the last four games.

Missouri Western is coming off their most convincing victory since early in the 2013 season. A roller coaster of an offensive season hit a peak last week against Nebraska-Kearney when the Griffons racked up a, season-high, 550 yards of total offense and 55 points. Missouri Western averaged more than seven yards per play on way to the 55-point win.,

The Griffon defense continues to stifle opponents, allowing just 27 touchdowns this season. Nebraska-Kearney was the second opponent Missouri Western has shutout this season. The defense ranks third in the MIAA, holding opposing offenses to just 15.8 points per game and third in total defense, allowing 321.9 yards per contest. That defense could come in handy Saturday. Missouri Southern boasts the MIAA’s top rushing offense at 279 yards per game. Expect a heavy dose of rushing from Missouri Southern. The Lions have attempted just 105 passes this season and their 110 yards passing per game put them at the bottom of the MIAA.