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Category: College

Griffon volleyball goes 1-1 on final day of Washburn Invitational

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riggertMissouriWesternTOPEKA, Kan. – The Missouri Western volleyball team closed out the Washburn Invitational with its strongest outing. The Griffons split the day’s action, ending in victory with a sweep.

Match 1: Quincy University 3, MWSU 1
Missouri Western dropped its opening game of day two at the Washburn Invitational to Quincy University 3-1 (25-16, 24-26, 23-25, 22-25).
The Griffons raced out early to a 1-0 match lead by using two different 5-1 rallies to take the first set 25-16. Kelsey Olion helped Missouri Western break open the first set with five kills.

Missouri Western wasted little time getting ahead as it jumped to an early 9-1 advantage to open the second set. The Griffons, however could not sustain the momentum they had built early. Quincy University tied the match at 19-19 and the Griffons never could regain the lead after that.
Third set, saw Missouri Western fall behind early but a Blair Russell kill would start a 6-1 Griffon rally to tie the set. Despite scoring four of the last six set points, Missouri Western could not steal the set.

The fourth set, saw the Griffons jump out again to an early lead after three consecutive kills by Russell. Quincy would eventually even the score at 18-18 and never give it back, winning the set and match. Stephanie Doak led the Missouri Western attackers with 14 kills. Kelsey Olion finished with 12 kills while adding four aces.

Match 2: MWSU 3, Midwestern State 0
Missouri Western finished the Washburn Invitational with 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-23) sweep over Midwestern State. The final match saw the Griffons trail only three times in the entire match.

The Griffons broke to a fast start against the Mustangs. Midwestern State scored the set’s first point but it would be their only lead. Missouri Western found a balanced attack in the set, with five players each recording two kills with aces by Kayla Ruff and Kelsey Olion.

Second set was the best for the Griffons, as they never trailed. After a 9-3 run early, Missouri Western blew the set wide open. The run started with three consecutive kills by the Griffon attackers to push the lead to 15-7. A Rachel Losch kill ended the set, giving MWSU a 2-0 match lead.

After a sluggish start in the third set, the Griffons trailed 9-2, before the offense reappeared. An 11-4 advantage allowed Missouri Western to tie the match at 13-13. Rachel Friedrich’s kill while down 21-19 started a 6-2 run allowing the Griffons to close out for the win. Missouri Western was led behind Stephanie Doak’s 10 kills and Kourtney Blaufuss’s 31 assist.

The Griffons open the 2016 home season by hosting the Gold & Green Challenge. Missouri Western opens with Oklahoma Baptist at 10 a.m. followed by Missouri S&T at 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri Western volleyball splits two matches at Washburn Invite

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riggertMissouriWesternTOPEKA, Kan. – With its back against the wall on the first day of the 2016 season, the Missouri Western volleyball team rallied to split two matches on the first day of the Washburn Invitational.

Match 1: University of Mary 3, MWSU 2
The Missouri Western Volleyball team dropped its opening match to University of Mary in five sets (25-20,23-25,25-23,24-26,9-15) in the opening game at the Washburn Invitational.

Missouri Western was in a battle early in the first set before using a 7-2 run to claim the first set. The Griffons erased a four-point deficit midway through the second set, but the Marauders were able to escape late in the set to tie the match at 1-1. The third set saw the Griffons fight off a late U of Mary rally with a setter’s attack from Lauren Murphy to take the 2-1 match lead. The fourth set, again, saw the Marauders escaping late with four-straight points to force a deciding fifth set. In the fifth set, Missouri Western could not overcome five straight points by U of Mary to close out the game.

The Griffons were led by Blair Russell, who had 14 kills on the match. Kelsey Olion added 12 kills, while hitting .500 for Missouri Western. Freshman Lauren Murphy made her first career start as a Griffon, dishing out 39 assists for the match.

Match 2: MWSU 3, Drury 2
Missouri Western’s third straight match at Washburn’s Lee Arena ended in a five sets. The Griffons rallied back from down 0-2 to beat Drury University 3-2 (19-25, 13-25, 25-20, 25-20, 15-9) in the afternoon game of the Washburn Invitational.

After a late timeout, the Missouri Western offense found its groove. The Griffons used Kelsey Olion’s kill to spark five consecutive points in the third set to take a 16-14 lead from Drury and never looked back in the set. Brushing off a slow start in the fourth set, Missouri Western used a 12-4 advantage to gain momentum midway through and take the set following back-to-back Stephanie Doak kills.

Drury jumped out to an early 4-1 fifth set lead but, the Griffons took advantage of Rachel Friedrich’s kill to finish the match on a 7-3 run. Friedrich behind her 10 kills, four blocks and three aces led Missouri Western. Stephanie Doak added 10 kills with Kelsey Olion’s eight.

The Griffons evened their record to 1-1 and will look to add to that starting at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow against Quincy University and again at 1:30 p.m. versus Midwestern State.

— MWSU Athletics —

K-State’s upset bid comes up short at No. 8 Stanford

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riggertKansasStateSTANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey had two long touchdown runs and Ryan Burns threw a scoring pass in his first career start to lead No. 8 Stanford to a 26-13 victory over Kansas State on Friday night.

With the Wildcats focused on stopping McCaffrey after he set the major college football record for all-purpose yards and finished second last year in Heisman Trophy voting, Stanford turned to its new quarterback to lead the offense early and the defense late in the opener for both teams.

“The defense bailed us out a lot in the second half,” McCaffrey said. “We just have to be better in a lot of different areas. We have a lot of new guys on this team playing their first college football game. Sometimes that comes back and haunts you, especially Week 1.”

Burns completed his first 10 passes, including a 40-yard touchdown strike to Michael Rector on the opening play of the second quarter.

McCaffrey then got into the act with an electrifying 35-yard touchdown run. He froze safety Kendall Adams with a juke and raced to the end zone for the score.

“When he touches the ball enough, good things happen,” coach David Shaw said.

McCaffrey shattered Barry Sanders’ 27-year-old record by gaining 3,496 all-purpose yards last season when he finished second to Alabama’s Derrick Henry in the Heisman.

But Stanford’s offense stalled in the second half before McCaffrey iced the game with a late 41-yard TD run. He finished 126 yards on 22 carries and 210 all-purpose yards.

“They run the heck out of it,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “McCaffrey is a tremendously talented player and a nice kid. You take away the two runs, one was a blitz and he ran right by guys. The first one he had a lot to do with, bouncing off guys. I counted at least three broken tackles on that first run. We were inconsistent consistently, let’s put it that way.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Kansas State: The Wildcats’ inexperienced offensive line featuring two freshmen struggled. Stanford had eight sacks, including one in the end zone by Jordan Watkins for a safety. Jesse Ertz was briefly knocked out of the game in the second half after one hit. He recovered to throw a late TD pass to Isaiah Zuber.

Stanford: After converting his first five third-down passes into first downs, Burns struggled. The Cardinal gained just 30 yards in the second half before McCaffrey’s second TD run. The defense was up to the task to make the lead hold but could have more trouble doing that once the Pac-12 schedule starts.

UP NEXT

Kansas State: The Wildcats play Florida Atlanta in their home opener Sept. 17.

Stanford: The Cardinal are off before beginning conference play at home against No. 20 USC.

— Associated Press —

MWSU soccer rallies to defeat Harding in overtime 4-3

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riggertMissouriWesternARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Chad Edwards said he wanted, needed, his team to score more goals in 2016. Well, if game one is going to set the tone for the rest of the season then Missouri Western’s all-time winningest head soccer coach is probably happy.

Edwards’ Griffons opened the 2016 season with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win over Harding at the MIAA-GAC Challenge hosted by Ouachita Baptist. The four goals were more than the team scored in any of its 18 games last year.

Sarah Blakley’s header in the 99th minute gave Missouri Western the win after coming back from a 3-2 deficit late in regulation. 2015 leading scorer Bridget Blessie knocked in a penalty kick with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to tie the game at three. The goal was much needed after two Harding goals in a three-minute span turned a 2-1 MWSU advantage into a 3-2 deficit.

The Griffons twice tied the game and twice regained the lead. After falling behind 1-0 following a Harding goal in the 10th minute, Sydney Cluck scored her first goal of 2016 off a rebound to tie the game at one. Missouri Western took its second lead of the game off a Maddy Cowell corner kick in the 48th minute to give the Griffons a 2-1 advantage. Harding answered with a goal in the 62nd minute and another in the 65th.

Both teams ended with 14 shots each, eight on goal. Lexie Martin had five saves in her first start in goal for the Griffons.

Missouri Western continues play in the crossover event, Sunday, when they take on host Ouchita Baptist at 1:30 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Griffons roll to 44-21 win over Nebraska-Kearney in season opener

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MWSUST. JOSEPH – The newly renovated Spratt Memorial Stadium opened with a bang as the Missouri Western football team ran away with a 44-21 victory over Nebraska-Kearney Thursday night.

The Griffon defense forced three Nebraska-Kearney turnovers – two interceptions by Donte Watkins —  and held the Lopers to just 20 yards rushing. Meanwhile, the Griffons ran wild for 329 yards, including a career-high 168 yards by Josh Caldwell, besting his previous high of 151 at Nebraska-Kearney last season. The sophomore carried the ball 23 times and had one touchdown carry. He was one of four Griffons with a rushing touchdown. Kendall Short , Derek Gray and backup quarterback Corey Bertini each had TD carries as well.

The Griffons lead was just 9-7 with 8:28 to go in the second quarter after Nebraska-Kearney scored on a 2-yard rush, but the Griffons scored the next 28 points, 14 more in the final three minutes of the second quarter to take a 23-7 lead to halftime. Six different Griffons scored touchdowns, the four rushing scores plus Patrick Bolton with a 16-yard catch from Skyler Windmiller and Dijuan Ussery with a 55-yard scamper through the Loper defense off a catch from Windmiller.

The junior quarterback was 11-20 for 160 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Bertini led the offense for one series in the second quarter. He was 1-1 for nine yards and rushed three times for 18 yards and a score. Bolton caught three passes for 36 yards and a score. Ussery caught two for 69 yards.

Watkins led the defense with 10 total tackles, seven solo, the two interceptions and a pass break up. Tyrell Robison had six tackles, one for loss. Brandin Dandridge had the other interception for the Griffon defense.

Next week, Missouri Western plays the only Saturday game in the MIAA with a trip to Missouri Southern. The Lions lost 22-10 at Fort Hays Thursday night. The Griffons have won their last three games in Joplin. Kickoff next Saturday is set for 6 p.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri State crushes NAIA opponent Southwestern 57-0 in first game

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riggertMSUSPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State christened the 2016 football season in grand fashion, dominating Southwestern College in all phases of the game in a 57-0 victory Thursday evening at Robert W. Plaster Stadium. Led by a career night from Colby Isbell, the Bears defense stifled the Moundbuilders’ attack to finish the first shutout of the Dave Steckel era.

Isbell matched a career high with 7.0 tackles, while recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in the opening half to help stake Missouri State (1-0) to a commanding lead, before the Bears offense put the game out of reach in the third quarter. Overall, the Bears held SC to 116 yards of total offense in 66 plays (1.76 yards per play), recorded 4.0 sacks and 11.0 total tackles for losses totaling 48 yards to help post MSU’s largest margin of victory in nearly a quarter century.

The MSU offense helped spur an early charge that saw the Bears take a 21-0 lead just 10 minutes into the contest and racked up 462 yards of total offense on the night. Sophomore quarterback Breck Ruddick completed 13-of-15 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 37 yards on just four carries.

Sophomore Nick Masoner led a potent MSU ground attack that piled up 321 rushing yards on 52 carries, finishing his night with a game and career-high 132 yards on 13 carries.

The runaway victory before a crowd of 8,827 represented the largest final margin in a Bears’ win since Sept. 21, 1991, when MSU routed Prairie View A&M by a 61-0 score at Plaster Stadium.

Deion Holliman, a preseason All-MVFC pick and the nation’s leading combined kick returner last fall, turned in a big night as well. The junior recorded 173 all-purpose yards, including 129 on his two kickoff returns, and hauled in the second touchdown reception of his Missouri State career. Holliman sparked the Bears’ early outburst by returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead, just 12 seconds into the new season. He would add to the MSU advantage on the Bears next possession by reaching high to grab a nine-yard scoring strike from Ruddick, who went 5-of-5 for 42 yards on the 73-yard drive.

MSU took advantage of a short field to add to its lead, as an 18-yard SC punt set up the Bears at the 28-yard line. Three plays later, Jason Randall bulled his way into the end zone for a seven-yard scoring run to stretch the margin to 21-0 with 5:00 to play in the opening quarter.

The Missouri State defense left an early impression on the Moundbuilders (0-1) as well, limiting the visitors to just 10 offensive yards in the opening period. After allowing 23 yards on Southwestern’s opening drive, the Bears put the clamps on the opposition, thanks in large part to a series of stops on key third down plays. Isbell came up with third-down sacks on back-to-back possessions, and recorded all 5.5 of his tackles for loss before the break, ultimately coming up just a half tackle short of Dylan Cole’s MSU single-game record.

MSU held the ‘Builders to just one first down in the period and did not allow a third or fourth down conversion until late in the second quarter.

Redshirt freshman kicker Zach Drake tacked on his fourth successful boot of the first half by drilling a 19-yard field goal that made it a 24-point MSU lead with 10:39 left on the clock. Ruddick, who completed 9-of-11 passes for 69 yards in the opening half, connected twice with freshman Aaron Denson for a total of 20 yards, as well as with Calan Crowder on an eight-yard play to set up the kick.

In all, the Bears allowed just 62 yards on the ‘Builders’ 38 first-half offensive plays.

Another strong start in the second half all but sealed the outcome, with the Bears out-scoring their guests by a 19-0 margin to top the 40-point mark for the first time in their last 26 games dating back to November 2013. Randall, who totaled 67 rushing yards on nine carries, spearheaded an eight-play, 87-yard drive that ended with his second TD run of the night after the sophomore turned in three different runs of 10 yards or more. Ruddick hit on all four of his pass attempts for 60 yards, including back-to-back completions of 23 and 19 yards to Erik Furmanek and Malik Earl, respectively.

The Bears’ defense once again stood tall, as McNeece Egbim picked off a Braden Langston pass and returned it for what appeared to be a 32-yard touchdown. An illegal block wiped out the score, but Phoenix Johnson negated the penalty on the initial play of the drive with a 21-yard scamper that gave the home club a 38-0 lead.

After stopping the ‘Builders deep in their own territory, an errant snap on a punt attempt sailed through the end zone for a safety. Holliman’s 38-yard return of the ensuing kickoff set up another MSU scoring chance, as  Masoner and Johnson teamed up to total 39 rushing yards on six carries to set up a 24-yard Shelby Harris field goal.

MSU would tack on a one-yard Gerard Harker run in the fourth, before Robert Thomas intercepted a Ka’Darius Baker pass and returned it 23 yards for the game’s final tally.

Missouri State embarks on its first road swing of the season next Saturday (Sept. 10) when it takes on Murray State in a 6 p.m. non-conference contest at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky.

— MSU Athletics —

Missouri Western hires Bierbaum as first Cross Country, Track & Field coach

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MWSUST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western State University has selected its first-ever head coach for the coming men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.

Marc Bierbaum was selected from a pool of more than 100 candidates. Bierbaum was most recently an assistant women’s cross country and track coach at the University of Nebraska Omaha.  Prior to UNO, Bierbaum served as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach and assistant track coach at his alma mater, Dana College.

“We’re very excited to have Marc lead our new programs,” Missouri Western director of athletics Kurt McGuffin said. “Marc’s enthusiasm really stood out and I think that will be a great attribute as he starts these programs.”

“He has a proven record of success at this level and knows the Midwest. We were really impressed by his knowledge of the area and the MIAA along with his strategies for building a program that Missouri Western can be proud of.”

At Nebraska Omaha, Bierbaum coached 36 all-conference performers and helped the Mavericks break 13 school records. At Dana, he coached a national champion in outdoor track and field; three national qualifiers in cross country; 17 national qualifiers in indoor track and field; 20 national qualifiers in outdoor track and field; two all-americans in indoor track and field; 43 all-conference selections; and saw eight school records fall.

“It’s a dream for me,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone that was involved in the process, everyone I’ve met, the campus, it’s all amazing. I can’t think of a better place to start a program.”

“I’m very excited to get going. This is a unique opportunity for myself and the student-athletes that will get to be a part of the first-ever program here at Missouri Western. This campus has everything we need to be successful. The campus and the people here feel like family already.”

The 2001 Dana College graduate was a two-time national qualifier as a marathoner for the Dana track team and a 1999 national qualifier in cross country. He also has experience coaching at the high school level in the Omaha, Nebraska area and has taught elementary art in Omaha as well.

“I really want to thank everyone at Missouri Western,” Bierbaum said. “Everyone has been very welcoming already. I had a great experience meeting with Dr. Vartabedian and everyone in the athletic department. I can’t wait to join the Missouri Western family.”

Bierbaum will begin his duties in the coming weeks. A search for a full-time assistant coach will begin soon after. The six new teams to Griffon Athletics will begin competition in the fall of 2017.

— MWSU Athletics —

Big 12 extends contract with Valero Alamo Bowl

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riggertBig12The Big 12 Conference has established a new agreement with the Valero Alamo Bowl to extend the existing relationship through 2025.

The six-year extension, which starts in 2019, will ensure the Valero Alamo Bowl continues to feature the first choice of a team from the Big 12 after the College Football Playoff makes its selections.

“The Conference’s long-standing relationship with the Valero Alamo Bowl has produced some unforgettable games,” said Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby. “The Valero Alamo Bowl and San Antonio have been terrific hosts for our member institutions and their fans, and we are excited to join the Pac-12 to continue our relationship through 2025.”

The Big 12 has sent a team to San Antonio to compete in the Valero Alamo Bowl every season since it began play in 1996.

Additionally, the Valero Alamo Bowl has also extended its agreement with the Pac-12 Conference under the same parameters. The Valero Alamo Bowl is currently in the third of a six-year agreement with both conferences.

The Valero Alamo Bowl reached a 10-year extension with ESPN last year to continue its relationship that began with the inaugural game in 1993. The agreement starts with the 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl this December and includes broadcasting rights to the game across ESPN’s platforms through 2025.

“Our Big 12 vs. Pac-12 match-up featuring their top teams outside of the CFP on ESPN has produced tremendous results for our community,” said Lamont Jefferson, Chairman of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “The Valero Alamo Bowl and San Antonio are celebrating the announcement that this winning relationship will continue through the 2025 season.”

— Big 12 Press Release —

Northwest women’s basketball adds junior college transfer to 2016-2017 roster

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Northwest2013riggertMARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University head women’s basketball coach Buck Scheel has announced the addition of Caitlin Sudduth to the 2016-17 roster. Sudduth, a native of Country Club Hills, Ill., played the previous two seasons at Kirkwood Community College. She will have two years of eligibility at Northwest.

“We’re excited about adding Caitlin to our group of 10 returners for the upcoming season,” said Scheel. “Her experience at Kirkwood and versatility will help add to our presence on the perimeter.”

Sudduth helped lead Kirkwood CC to a 27-6 overall record in 2015-16, being ranked as high as No. 3 nationally. She was second on the team at 10.0 points per game and 3.0 assists per game, earning ICCAC First Team All-Conference honors. The 5’7″ guard’s freshman year included a 30-6 overall record, a conference and Region XI Championship, culminating with a fifth place finish at the NJCAA DII National Tournament.

A two-time all-conference performer at Tinley Park High School, Sudduth averaged 13.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game in her prep career.

— Northwest Athletics —

Mizzou’s Harris named to Lombardi Award preliminary watch list

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, MO. – Mizzou Football’s Charles Harris (Kansas City, Mo.) has been named to the 2016 Rotary Lombardi Award Preliminary Watch List, as announced by the Rotary Lombardi Award committee on Thursday. Harris is one of 158 total student-athletes and 42 Southeastern Conference players selected to the list who demonstrate outstanding performance and skill and exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom of Vince Lombardi. It’s now the fourth preseason watch list for Harris after being named to the Ted Hendricks, Bednarik and Nagurski watch lists earlier this summer.

Harris was a Second Team All-SEC honoree following the 2015 regular season. In his first year as a starter, he led the SEC in tackles for loss (18.5) and registered seven sacks, solidifying himself as the next standout in a long line of stellar defensive ends at Mizzou. He anchored the defensive line on one of the nation’s top defenses, starting all 12 games while finishing with 56 total tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass break-up.

The annual Rotary Lombardi Award began in 1970 in honor of the NFL coaching legend and recognized exceptional linemen in college football that upheld the values of leadership, courage, desire, respect and discipline. It has since been expanded to include players of all positions who exemplify those characteristics. Net proceeds from the award activities are contributed to cancer research and children who cannot afford treatment to fight the disease that claimed the life of Lombardi.

— Mizzou Athletics —

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