Missouri Western’s sixth turnover of the game ended any comeback opportunities as the Griffons fall for the first time against #14 Emporia State since 2004 by a score of 35-30. Missouri Western out gained the Hornets 525 to 351 falling to 7-2 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play. The back-to-back home loses is the first time since 2008 that MWSU has lost consecutive home games.
Missouri Western got into Emporia State territory three different times in the first quarter but could not get any points as one drive ended on an interception by Travis Partridge.
In the second quarter the Hornets opened up a 21-0 lead when Dozie Iwuagwa rushed in from six yards out with 7:44 to play. The Hornets opened up the scoring with 13:18 in the quarter when Brent Wilson connected with Ervin Kavaski from 13 yards out. Iwuagwu followed that up with a 22 yard touchdown giving ESU the 14-0 lead with 8:31 to play in the quarter.
The Griffons hung in there closing the half with 10 straight points. Partrdige connected with Alek Ferbet from eight yards out with 3:33 to play and John Schmiemeier connected on a 47 yard field goal as time expired making it 21-10 ESU at the half.
The Griffons had 215 yards with 125 coming through the air. Stephon Weaver caughte six passes for 75 yards in the half while John Oglesby led the defense with nine tackles.
Emporia State had 188 yards with 97 coming on the ground. Antonio Brown had seven carries for 46 yards while Julian Dozier, Deshawn Dinwiddie and Tariq Allen had seven tackles.
The Griffons opened up the third quarter going 89 yards on nine plays with Dalton Krysa blasting in from two yards out cutting the ESU lead to 21-17 with 10:41 to play in the quarter.
In the fourth the Griffons took their first lead of the game on a third and 27 when Partridge connected with Weaver for a 30 yard touchdown giving MWSU the 24-21 lead with 11:01 to play. Weaver finished with a career high 10 catches for 163 yards.
The Hornets finally got something going in the final quarter scoring on one yard touchdown passes to Kavaski and Ray Ray Davis giving the Hornets the 35-24 lead with 4:20 to play.
The Griffons continued to play hard going on a seven play 62 yard drive capped by a Partridge two yard run cutting the ESU lead to 35-30 with 2:46 to play. On the Hornet next possession Mike Jordan picked off Wilson setting the Griffons up inside the Hornet 25 yard line after a personal foul penalty. On a third down and four from the Hornet six yard line Partride threw his career high fourth interceptions giving the Hornets the victory.
Partridge threw for 298 yards connecting on 22-of-40. Raphael Spencer finished with 80 yard rushing and 55 yards receiving while Partridge finished with a career high 130 yards on a career high 25. Oglesby finished with 11 tackles.
Brent Wilson had 159 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Davis had nine catches for 79 yards and one touchdown. Antonio Brown had 109 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns while Josh Monteagudo and Allen had 12 tackles apiece.
The Griffons return to action next week on the road when they take on the 8th ranked Washburn Ichabods at 1:00 pm in Topeka, Kan.
— MWSU Sports Information —