ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western football team broke its two-game losing streak Saturday as they defeated Northeastern State 45-14 at Spratt Stadium.

MWSU staked a 38-0 lead in the third quarter before Northeastern State got its first touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on the Griffons’ second-string defense. The RiverHawks would add another fourth quarter score on a 51-yard fumble recovery against Missouri Western’s reserve offense.

The Griffons rushed for 281 yards and limited Northeastern State to 280 total yards on the day. Kendall Short had a career-high three rushing touchdowns and Josh Caldwell added another, giving the Griffons four rushing TDs. Skyler Windmiller connected with Jesse Dickens for a 53-yard TD strike a little more than four minutes into the game, Missouri Western’s only passing TD on the day. Ray Winters made it 14-0 in the first quarter with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Missouri Western’s defense returned to early season form, forcing four Northeastern State turnovers, three interceptions and a fumble. Northeastern State passed for 215 yards in the game, but most of that coming late in the game.

Caldwell finished with 22 carries for 123 yards and the touchdown. Short rushed 10 times for 83 yards and three scores. Windmiller finished early in the second half, 9-15 for 199 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Dickens was one of a handful of Griffon receivers to pull in two catches. He led the team with 75 receiving yards and the TD.

The win lifted Missouri Western to 3-2 on the season and dropped Northeastern State to 1-4. The Griffons travel to Lindenwood next Saturday.

— MWSU Athletics —