ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team scored 31 unanswered points Saturday as they rallied to defeat Lindenwood inside Spratt Stadium 34-14.  The win is the third straight for the Griffons as they improve to 3-1 on the season.

Missouri Western fell behind 14-3 and trailed 14-6 at the half.  The Griffons also had to punt on the opening drive of the second half and then the MWSU defense took over the game.

Donte Watkins picked off Lindenwood quarterback Jesse Scoggins on the Lions’ third play of the second half. The interception set up a 57-yard touchdown pass from TJ LaFaver to DiJuan Ussery on the first play of the ensuing drive. The point after attempt would be missed by Tanner Pettet, one of three PAT misses for the freshman in the game.

The Griffons took their first lead of the game with 2:36 to go in the third quarter on a three-yard touchdown run by Josh Caldwell. On the drive, Ussery had a 55-yard catch and Caldwell had a 25-yard run. On the fourth play of LIndenwood’s next drive the Griffon defense did it again as Yomi Alli picked up a Scroggins fumble and ran it 44 yards for a touchdown that gave MWSU a 25-14 lead.

Petted added a 29-yard field goal and Raphael Spencer scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 5:27 left to ice it for the Griffons. Spencer moved into second on the all-time rushing list at MWSU in the first half. He finished with 120 yards rushing on 26 carries with a touchdown.

MWSU outgained Lindenwood 532-231, holding the Lions to just 34 yards in the second half. Missouri Western rushed for 253 yards and held Lindenwood to 90.  LaFaver was 18-28 for 279 yards passing with one touchdown and no interceptions, starting for the injured Skyler Windmiller. Ussery caught five passes for 151 yards and a touchdown; the second 150-plus yard receiver this year for the Griffons. Missouri Western sacked Scroggins six times and held him to 131 yards passing and 20 yards rushing.

Next week the Griffons visit No. 15 Pittsburg State for a 2 p.m. kick.

— MWSU Athletics —