The 6th ranked Missouri Western Griffons put together a last second drive scoring with 15 seconds remaining on a pitch and catch from Travis Partridge to Reggie Jordan coming away with a 26-23 victory over the Central Missouri Mules. With the victory the Griffons have won 10 of the last 11 games against the Mules. The Griffons improve to 1-0 overall and 1-0 in MIAA play.
Things did not go as planned in the first quarter for the Griffons as they did not get a single first down accumulating just 31 yards of total offense on 14 plays.
On the other side of the ball the Mules had 130 yards on 20 plays which included a 73 yard scoring strike from Hayden Hawk to Anthony Kirkwood with 1:55 to play in the quarter. A missed extra point by Zach Gebhardt kept the score at 9-0 Mules. UCM’s other score came on the first possession when the Mules went 43 yards on 10 playes with Gebhardt connecting on a 42 yard field goal.
The Griffons got the offense going a little bit in the second quarter getting five first downs. Missouri Western cut the Mule lead to 9-7 on an 11 yard run by Raphael Spencer capping a 70 yard nine play drive. Spencer had 35 yards on five carries in the half.
The Griffons struggled catching the ball with four dropped passes which included a would be touchdown. Despite the struggles the Griffons defense was able to hold the Mules to just nine points after Gebhardt missed a 42 yard field goal with under a minute to play.
In the half the Griffons had 64 yards rushing and 44 passing. Travis Partridge connected on just 5-of-13 passes with Crockom catching two for 24 yards. Defensively Stephen Juergens had six tackles with one being for a loss. Yomi Alli and Janis Matulis each had five tackles with Matulis getting one sack.
The Mules had 225 yards with 213 coming through the air. Hawk completed 17-of-21 passes with one touchdown. LaVance Taylor led the charge offensively with nine carries for 31 yards. Defensively Ramond Hunter had five tackles with two being for a loss.
In the second half both teams had numerous opportunities to take command with turnovers and mistakes.
Midway through the third quarter Tevin Teamer intercepted a Partridge pass and scampered 30 yards putting the Mules up 16-7 with 5:26 to play in the third quarter.
The young Griffon squad did not get rattled as they responded with a three play 72 yard drive which was capped by a 55 yard pitch and catch from Partridge to Stephon Weaver. The touchdown marked Weaver’s first of his career. The extra point was muffed by a bad snap cutting the Mules lead to 16-13 with 2:27 to play in the third.
The Griffons took their first lead of the game early in the fourth when Partridge hit Derek Libby from 56 yards out giving them the 20-16 lead with 14:47 to play in the game.
The Mules responded midway through the quarter putting together a 14 play 53 yard drive where they converted on three fourth down plays. Hawk connected with Cullen Rosine from 15 yards out giving the Mules a 23-20 lead with 4:32 to play.
Partridge then put together the drive where he completed three passes and rushed for 19 yards on the 62 yard seven play drive. Partridge connected with senior tight end Reggie Jordan from five yards out giving them the 26-23 victory.
The Griffons tallied 347 yards of total offense with 198 coming through the air and 149 on the ground. Spencer finished with 91 yards on 13 carries while Partridge rushed 14 times for 57 yards.
Partridge threw for three touchdowns with Weaver, Libby, Crockom and Jordan all getting three catches apiece. Weaver had 75 yards receiving while Libby had 66.
Griffon punter Scott Groner punted seven times for a 44.9 yards per kick with 59 being his long. Juergens finished with 14 tackles while Nick Williams finished with 10. The Griffons had four sacks with John Oglesby getting two.
The Mules finished with 362 total yards with 322 coming in the air and just 40 on the ground. Hawk connected on 28-of-42 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns. Tristan McClelland caught eight passes for 87 yards while Ray Harris rushed 18 times for 40 yards.
Zach Quines led the way on defense with nine tackles while Ramond Hunter had eight tackles with two sacks and three tackles for a loss.
The Griffons return to action next week when they take on former offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwick and the Missouri S&T Miners on Saturday, September 14 in St. Joseph, Mo. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm from Spratt Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —