ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team lost their homecoming game inside Spratt Stadium Saturday against Washburn, 21-7.

MWSU was outgained 414 yards to 245. The Griffons did rush for 171 yards but only totaled 74 passing yards and TJ LaFaver had three interceptions in the game, one was returned for a touchdown. Washburn took a 7-0 lead to halftime off a 10-yard touchdown pass from Derek McGinnis to Bryce Chavis.

Washburn took a 14-0 lead early in the third quarter when Cody Heiman picked off LaFaver and went 25 yards for a touchdown. LaFaver would finish 10-23 passing with the three interceptions for 74 yards. He did rush 14 times for 78 yards and made it 14-7 in the third quarter with a touchdown pass to Alec Ferbet. Ferbet finished with a team-high four catches for 40 yards. No other Griffon had more than two catches and Raphael Spencer’s 16 receiving yards were the second most on the team. Raphael Spencer rushed 17 times for 73 yards. Spencer fumbled twice, losing one.

The loss dropped Missouri Western to 4-3 and pulled the Griffons even with Washburn in the MIAA standings. Next week Missouri Western travels to 6-1 Emporia State for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. The Hornets suffered their first loss of the year Saturday to Fort Hays State.

— MWSU Athletics —