HAYS, Kan. – The Missouri Western football team lost its second straight game, 35-27, Saturday afternoon at Fort Hays State.

The loss snapped an 11-game winning streak over Fort Hays State for the Griffons and dropped Missouri Western to 4-4 on the season. The Griffons’ four losses have come by a total of 30 points.

Saturday’s game was Missouri Western’s second lowest scoring total of the season, getting a touchdown off an 8-yard pass from Skyler Windmiller to Patrick Bolton with 43 seconds remaining to avoid the season’s lowest scoring output. Bolton’s touchdown catch gave the Griffons a chance, but just like the prior week, an onside kick attempt was recovered by the opposition.

The Griffons had their chances, gaining 497 yards of offense on 92 plays in the game compared to 463 on 67 plays for Fort Hays State. The Tigers took a 21-19 lead to halftime after Missouri Western missed two point after attempts and a field goal in the first 30 minutes. The teams went scoreless in the third quarter, but five second half sacks by Fort Hays State and three second half turnovers by the Griffons hurt the comeback effort.

Windmiller went over 2,000 passing yards on the season with an 18-30 performance for 231 yards and three touchdowns. The junior threw two interceptions and was sacked five times. Josh Caldwell had his seventh 100-yard game of the season, rushing 26 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. Dijuan Ussery caught four passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, a 70-yarder that put Missouri Western up 12-0 in the first quarter. Brock Broughton and Bolton caught the other TD passes.

Missouri Western travels to Washburn (5-3) next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

— MWSU Athletics —