The 6th ranked Missouri Western football team outscored the Fort Hays State Tigers 28-7 in the third quarter coming away with a 52-21 victory. The Griffons have now won seven straight MIAA games dating back to last season improving to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the MIAA.
Despite have the ball for just 4:46 seconds in the first quarter the Griffons were able to end the first quarter tied at the end of the quarter. The Tigers took the opening possession 70 yards on 12 plays with Treveon Albert connecting with Edward Smith giving Fort Hays the 7-0 lead with 10:05 left in the quarter.
The Griffons responded the very next play when Dominic Thomas took a kickoff back 96 yards tying the score at seven. The kickoff return for a touchdown was the first time since Tarrell Downing took one back 88 yards on October 8, 2011 against Lincoln.
Missouri Western preceded to scoring the next 14 points taking a 21-7 lead after Thomas scored his second touchdown of the game capping a 65 yard 10 play drive. Stephon Weaver scored the Griffons second touchdown of the game on a five yard pitch and catch from Travis Partridge. The touchdown was his fourth of the season and third in the last two games.
The Tigers continued to play hard and just before the half they put together a seven play 48 yard drive cutting the lead to 21-14 after a hook up from Albert to Tanner Hageman.
At the half the Griffons led 21-14 but trailed in offensive yards 155 to 202. Partridge completed 7-of-12 passes for 68 yards with Josh Walker, Reggie Jordan and Weaver all getting two. Thomas led the way on the ground with 38 yards on four carries. Meshack Kennedy had six tackles for MWSU.
The Tigers were led on the ground by Albert with 42 yards on 12 carries while Keaton Callins had four catches for 40 yards. Zach Nash had five tackles.
The second half was all Griffons as the scored 28 points in the third quarter with 21 coming in the first four and a half minutes. Raphael Spencer scored two touchdowns in the quarter while Dalton Krysan and Derek Libby each scored one. The Griffons took a 49-21 lead after the third quarter.
In the final quarter the Griffons tacked on three more points when John Schmiemeier booted a 39 yard field goal.
The Griffons capitalized on numerous Tiger special team mistakes and forced four Tiger turnovers in the victory. The Tigers fall to 0-4 overall and in the MIAA with the loss.
Missouri Western had 399 yards of total offense with 240 coming on the ground Spencer finished wit 84 yards and two touchdowns while Thomas and Krysa had 50 and 40 yards receptively. Partridge connected on 13-of-22 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns while Walker, Jordan and Weaver all had three catches. Stephen Juergens and Kennedy had nine tackles apiece.
The Tigers finished with 307 yards with 183 coming through the air. Albert completed 23-of-39 passes with two touchdowns. Callins had nine catches for 85 yards while Andre Smith had 71 yards on 16 carries. Justin McPhail led the defense with 10 tackles.
The Griffons return to action on Saturday, October 5 when they hit the road for a contest with the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Game time is set for 6:00 pm in Edmond, Okla. at Wantland Stadium.
— MWSU Sports Information —