College – Page 769 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Missouri Western bounces back to defeat No. 12 Central, 23-6

Posted on September 10, 2011

Missouri Western’s defensive line gave the 12th ranked Central Missouri Mules fits all night in front of 6,251 fans finishing with seven sacks and nine tackles for a loss in the 23-6 victory. Junior defensive end David Bass tied a MWSU single game record with four sacks as Josh Charles did it back on September 25, 1999 against Washburn. Ben Pister had two sacks while Austin Baska finished with one. The Griffons sit at 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in the MIAA.

The Griffons came out with something to prove against the Mules dominating the first quarter. Western had137 yards of offense with 110 coming on the ground. The Griffons took their first lead of the 2011 season when Partridge broke through the secondary for a 68 yard scoring run with 4:55 to play in the quarter.

Western continued the dominance into the second quarter scoring 10 more points taking a 17-0 lead after a 45 yard field goal by Greg Zuerlein with 9:19 to play in the half. Western’s second touchdown came with 12:46 to play in the second quarter when Partridge hooked up with Tarrell Downing from 14 yards out capping a six play 63 yard drive.

The Mules came alive the rest of the half gaining 85 yards on their next two drives. Western held the Mules out of the end zone holding them to an Aaron Jamieson 21 yard field goal. With under a minute to play in the half the Mules drove inside the Griffons ten but a batted ball by David Bass allowed Ben Pister to intercept his first career pass, helping Western to the 14 point half time lead.

Partridge led the charge on the ground rushing for 83 yards on three rushes. Michael Hill had 27 yards on nine carries. Partridge went 8-15 for 56 yards and a touchdown while Tyron Crockum had three receptions for 25 yards.

The Griffons continued to play well in the third quarter as Jeremy Weston recorded his first of two interceptions while Bass recorded back-to-back sacks on the UCM’s second drive of the quarter. The Mules were able to cut the lead to 17-6 after a 53-yard field goal by Jamieson with 5:02 to play in the third.

In the fourth quarter Western got their three points back when Zuerlein nailed a 51 yard field goal with 14:42 to play in the game. The next possession Pister sacked UCM quarterback Tommy Corwin on back-to-back plays. The Mules drove inside Griffon territory once again but Western recorded his second interception with 9:31 to play in the contest.

Western tacked on one more field goal late in the game when Taylor Anderson nailed a 21 yard field goal giving Western the 23-6 lead and victory.

Western finished the game with 347 yards of total offense with 238 coming on the ground. Hill rushed for 113 yards on 25 carries. This was his fourth 100 yard game in his career. Partridge had 92 yards on five carries while Dominic Thomas finished with 14 yards on seven carries.

Through the air Partridge had 109 yards connecting on 14-of-26 passes. Crockum finished with three catches for 25 yards. Scott Groner finished the night with three of his six punts inside the 20 yard line averaging 37.5 yards per kick.

Central Missouri had 178 yards with 158 coming through the air and just 20 coming on the ground. Camren Torneden had 20 yards on nine carries. Tommy Corwin finished the night going 18-of-36 with three interceptions and 158 yards. Taylor Dyer had 10 receptions for 101 yards.

Thomas Madget and Pister each had eight tackles while Patrick Lewis led the charge for the Mules with 11.

Western will return home for their first non-conference game of the 2011 season when they take on the Langston University Lions in St. Joseph, Mo. on Saturday, September 17. Kickoff is set for 11:00 am in Spratt Stadium.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Northwest cruises past Sioux Falls in home opener

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

With all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the home opener for Northwest Missouri State the Bearcats shook their nerves as they cruised to a, 52-17 win over Sioux Falls on Saturday night at Bearcat Stadium in front of 7,640 fans.

The Bearcats improve to 2-0 on the season for the first time since the 2006 season when they would rattle off 14 straight wins before falling in the national championship game. Sioux Falls drops to 0-2 losing their second straight game to an MIAA opponent.

Northwest would get on the board early after an interception by Derrick Thomas would set up a 37-yard Todd Adolf field goal. However, USF would seemingly move the ball with ease taking the lead just momentarily on a 29-yard pitch and catch from Carrington Hanna to Jeremiah Oates.

“It was apparent they wanted to slow the game down, which they did for a little,” said Adam Dorrel. “We were able to make the needed adjustments and that’s a tribute to our coaches.”

Making needed adjustments on offense, Blake Christopher and Jordan Simmons would connect for their first of two scores giving the Bearcats a, 10-7 lead. Christopher would scramble finding Simmons on the far sideline as he raced 47-yards to pay dirt.

A pesky USF squad would tie the game again on 35-yard Braden Wieking field goal, but a determined Bearcat team would prove to be the better team on Mel and Carol Tjeerdsma night.

Northwest would quickly march 70 yards in six plays on Simmons’ second touchdown of the night a 12-yard run giving the Bearcats a 17-10 lead that they would not relinquish the rest of the night.

The Bearcats would put together six scoring drives of under two minutes in the first to build a 38-10 half time lead. A pair of first half interceptions helped set up Bearcat scores, one by Thomas and a second by Bryce Enyard, who would finish the night with two interceptions respectively.

“The first one was me just reading the quarterback’s eyes, he never looked away” Enyard said. “I did nearly the same for the second one, but it came more to me and I was able to make a good play on it.”

Christopher would find the end zone on a 2 play 12 yard drive after the Enyard pick pushing the Bearcat lead to 14.

The Bearcat momentum created by the defense would again provide dividends for the offense after a Chad Kilgore sack forced the Cougars to go three and out. Northwest would then display the same quick strike offense that hung 65 points on Truman State last week.

Christopher would find Jake Soy in the middle of the field for his first touchdown of the season. Soy, who finished with 131 yards on five catches, moved into sole possession atop the MIAA all-time leaders for receiving touchdowns with his 41st of his career.

Christopher would again close out his night early in the second half finishing with 308 yards and completing 17-of-26 with three touchdowns. His third touchdown toss of the night would come on the opening drive of the second half as he found Kyle Kilgore across the middle. Kilgore would break a couple of tackles before spinning into the end zone pushing the Bearcat lead to 45-10.

Northwest finished with 216 yards rushing and 308 through the air almost 100 more than their opponent on Saturday night.

It was the first time since last year’s Fall Classic against Pittsburg State that Northwest did not commit a turnover in the ball game.

Simmons would end with 76 yards on the ground and 55 yards receiving as he recorded three touchdowns for the second time in his career; his first came last week at Truman.

James Franklin would carry 15 times for the Bearcats for 66 yards.

Hanna finished 11-of-27 for 137 yards for USF before being pulled in the fourth quarter.

Northwest has now won 10 straight regular season games dating back to last year. It is also the sixth straight win at Bearcat Stadium.

The Bearcats will go on the road next weekend when they travel to Lincoln to take on the MIAA’s newest football member. The Blue Tigers are 1-1 after falling to Washburn on Thursday night.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Jayhawks scored with nine seconds to rally past Northern Illinois

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Jordan Webb hit B.J. Beshears with a 6-yard touchdown pass on fourth down with 9 seconds to go and Kansas escaped with a wild, back-and-forth 45-42 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night.

After Jasmin Hopkins’ 1-yard run put the Huskies on top 42-38 with 5:03 left in the seesaw slugfest, Beshears broke a 51-yard kickoff return to the 47. Then, facing a fourth-and-two from the 7 at the 1:19 mark, James Sims plowed to the 5 for a first-and-goal.

Two running plays lost yardage, setting up the last-second drama that resulted in Kansas’ first two-game winning streak under second-year head coach Turner Gill. The touchdown on the goal line was so close, it was reviewed as the crestfallen Huskies, who won 11 games last season and are bidding to become the next mid-major upstart, looked on hopefully.

Everyone expected an offensive shootout from two teams that combined for more than 950 total yards in winning their openers the week before, and everyone was right. It was tied 35-35 tie at the end of the third quarter. Kansas (2-0) totaled 534 yards and Northern Illinois had 462.

Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois’ senior quarterback closing in on a raft of team records, was 27 for 33 for 315 6yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 89 yards and three TDs.

The Jayhawks also had touchdown runs of 72 yards by Tony Pierson and 31 by James Sims called back by holding penalties. Sims wound up with 110 yards rushing and two touchdowns while Jordan Webb was 21 for 30 for 281 yards and three touchdowns.

After Harnish hit Da’Ron Brown with a 6-yard TD pass to tie it 35-all near the end of the third quarter, the Jayhawks swept right back down the field but were stopped on third-and-goal from the 5 and Alex Mueller kicked a 27-yard field goal for a 38-35 lead.

The first half ended with a wild flourish and Kansas locked in a 21-21 tie. With less than two minutes to play and Northern Illinois facing a fourth-and-six from the 30, Harnish lifted a perfectly thrown pass to Martel Moore, who appeared to come down with the ball just one yard short of the goal line.

The Huskies hurriedly lined up to run a play and seize a 28-14 lead. But a review resulted in a reversal, so the Jayhawks took over on their 30 at the 1:46 mark.

On third-and-eight, Webb hit Sims out of the backfield, he got a couple of good blocks and went 39 yards to the 29. A moment later, Webb was sacked, putting Kansas beyond field-goal range. But with 17 seconds left, on third-and-17, the Huskies blew coverage and left Kale Pick completely alone down field. He hauled in Webb’s 36-yard touchdown pass, making it 21-21.

Each team scored two touchdowns in a third quarter that was almost devoid of defense. Harnish tallied on a 26-yard run and connected with Brown on a 10-yard TD pass. Kansas got two TD runs from Sims of 8 and 1 yard. Webb started sharp, hitting Beshears with a TD pass on third-and-goal from the 15. Harnish found Brown for 18 yards on fourth-and-three from the 28 on the Huskies’ next possession and Harnish ran it in from the 7.

After Sims’ TD run was wiped out by a penalty, Northern Illinois took over on its own 32 and Harnish was 3 for 3 for 53 yards in a five-play, 68-yard drive he capped with a 12-yard scoring run.

Northern Illinois tackle Ron Newcomb fell on a Kansas fumble after Webb and Sims bobbled a handoff and Harnish needed nine plays to move 53 yards for a 21-7 lead. On third-and-goal from the 8, the senior quarterback fired into the end zone for Martel Moore and a 21-7 lead.

JaCory Shepherd’s 20-yard reception on third-and-10 a few minutes later kept Kansas’ drive alive and Darrian Miller, one of several fleet freshmen who have enlivened what used to be a ponderous offense, made it 21-14 with an 18-yard dash around right end.

— Associated Press —

Nebraska pulls away from Fresno State in fourth quarter

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

In a game filled with big plays, Ameer Abdullah made the biggest.

The Nebraska freshman returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown after Fresno State made it a two-point game in the fourth quarter, and the 10th-ranked Cornhuskers went on to win 42-29 Saturday night.

“We had a couple previous kick returns that were almost there,” Abdullah said. “So we perfected the blocks and wedge. Coach said I had to make a move and make a play. It was the turning point of the game.”

Taylor Martinez turned in an uneven performance but came through when the Huskers (2-0) needed him most, breaking a 46-yard touchdown run on a third-and-3 that put the game away against a four-touchdown underdog.

“Every year you’re going to have some games like this,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said. “You’re going to have some games where you have to find a way, and we did. There were a couple times early in this football game where it had a chance to go south on us pretty quick, and I think we rose up.”

With the cloud of a welfare fraud investigation hanging over the program, and retired basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian watching from the press box, the Bulldogs (0-2) made a strong run at their first win over a Top 10 opponent since 2001.

“Playing close is not what we try to do,” Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. “I told them I was very, very proud of their performance. I have to give credit to Nebraska. They made a couple of big plays at the end. The kickoff return and the long option play, they made a couple of big plays when they had to.”

Nebraska had six plays from scrimmage of at least 38 yards. Fresno State had five plays of at least 20 yards and a 67-yard punt return by Devon Wylie that opened the scoring.

Martinez ran 15 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 219 yards and another score. His 385 yards of total offense was the second-most of his career.

But he also fumbled twice, with the Huskers recovering both, and he threw two interceptions, though one was a desperation heave at the end of the half. He completed 10 of 21 passes, badly missing some of his receivers.

Fresno State led 17-14 at halftime and extended the lead to 20-14 early in the third quarter before Nebraska came back to win its 22nd straight game against a Western Athletic Conference opponent.

Asked what he told his team at halftime, Pelini said: “We’re going to find out what this football team wants to be. Period.”

Robbie Rouse ran 36 times for 169 yards and Derek Carr was 20 of 41 for 254 yards for the Bulldogs.

Carr threw incomplete to a well-covered A.J. Johnson on a 2-point try after his 26-yard TD pass to Josh Harper pulled the Bulldogs to 28-26 early in the fourth quarter.

Abdullah, who set a school record with 211 yards on five kick returns, then thwarted any momentum Fresno State might have generated.

He caught the kick 2 yards deep in the end zone, burst through the middle and then down the right sideline. Battling leg cramps, he cut back to the left inside the 10 and crossed the goal line as Davon Dunn brought him down to finish the fourth 100-yard kick return in program history.

“I had to get to the end zone,” Abdullah said.

After Kevin Goessling’s 38-yard field goal pulled Fresno State to 35-29 with 5:24 left, Rex Burkhead did some tough running between the tackles before Martinez broke free for the Huskers’ last touchdown.

Hill has built his program on playing, and often beating, opponents from BCS conferences. The Bulldogs came to Lincoln having won seven of their last 11 against BCS schools but having lost 12 straight against opponents ranked in the Top 25.

Carr, brother of former Bulldogs star and 2002 No. 1 NFL draft pick David Carr, wasn’t intimidated by Memorial Stadium’s “Sea of Red,” completing 20 of 41 passes for 254 yards.

The Bulldogs’ young offensive line, which lost starting center Richard Helepiko last week, got dinged again early when starting left guard Matt Hunt left with what appeared to be an injury to his right foot.

Still, Nebraska’s vaunted front four couldn’t get much pressure on Carr as the Bulldogs had him move the pocket.

“That O-line, they battled their butts off the whole entire game for me,” Carr said. “They let them hit me one time. Rouse, when he averages 5 yards a carry, it makes my job a lot easier opening up the passing game. I’m very proud of him. And our defense battled. They just made a couple more plays.”

Bearcat volleyball team gets swept twice at SBU Invite

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Northwest Missouri State dropped both matches, 3-0 on Saturday to Lindenwood and Minnesota State to close out the SBU Purple Bash.

The Bearcats fell to 3-5 on the season as they prepare for MIAA play on Wednesday at Emporia State. The Lions would sweep Northwest with scores of 25-16, 25-18, and 25-23.

Northwest got another solid performance from Laira Akin who recorded 24 assists against Lindenwood. However, Akin would be the only bright spot for the Bearcats would were outmatched on Saturday.

Brooke Bartosh would add 12 kills as the only Bearcat to record double figure kills in the night cap.

In their first game of the day the Bearcats fell to a tough Minnesota State squad. Northwest would push the Mavericks in the first set before falling 31-29. Both teams would battle back and forth in the final two sets as well, however, MSU would pull out win and the sweep winning 25-23 and 25-27.

Northwest opens MIAA on Wednesday at Emporia State before opening their home slate on Sept. 20 against perennial power Washburn.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri State falls short at Eastern Kentucky

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

A solid comeback attempt by Missouri State (0-2) fell short here Saturday as the Bears fell to Eastern Kentucky (1-1), 28-24 in non-conference play.

After trailing 14-0 at the half and being outgained 276-132 after two quarters, the Bears took the opening drive of the third quarter all the way for a score as Trevor Wooden engineered a 60-yard drive that consumed 14 plays and 6 minutes, 54 seconds. He converted three third downs on the sequence and called his own number from the two-yard line for the score with 8:06 left in the third period. The MSU TD made it a 14-7 game at the time.

The Bears outgained the Colonels 132-4 in the third quarter and ended the period knocking on the door of a potential game-tying score. On third-and-goal, Chris Douglas was cut down at the one-yard line, and MSU elected to kick an 18-yard field goal. Austin Witmer converted the chip shot attempt to wrap a 14-play, 63-yard drive to make it a 14-10 game just 48 seconds into the final period.
However, just as it looked like the momentum was changing for good, EKU brought the home crowd of 9,200 back into the game with an 88-yard kickoff return by Jeremy Caldwell to make it 21-10 with 14:11 to go in the contest.

Missouri State bounced off the canvas with a quick strike of its own on the next series. Julian Burton returned the ensuing kickoff to the Bears’ 29, setting up a 71-yard touchdown strike from Wooden to Jermaine Saffold on the very next play to make it 21-17 after Witmer’s PAT.

The teams exchanged punts on the next two series, but when the Colonels took over at their own 41 with 8:41 to go, Pryor put together a 59-yard touchdown drive to seal the win for the home club. The 13-play drive was capped with a 12-yard scamper by Jeremiah Williams to end the nearly-five-minute drive and made it 28-17 with 3:55 remaining in the contest.

MSU rallied on its next series, staying in the game with a 60-yard drive that culminated in a nine-yard TD pass from Wooden to Saffold to make it 28-24 with 1:54 to go. The series took nine plays and consumed just over two minutes as the senior wideout collected his 10th career touchdown catch.

Eastern recovered the ensuing sky kick at its own 33 and ultimately ran out the clock in sealing a 28-24 win.

In his first career start, Wooden finished 22-for-32 for 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He was sacked three times, all in the first half, and had a team-high 71 rushing yards with a score. Stephen Johnston added 42 yards on the ground, and Douglas tacked on 36 more. Saffold had a game-high six receptions for 126 yards.

Pryor was 14-for-22 for 146 yards for EKU with 69 additional yards on the ground. Williams finished with 119 yards on 24 carries to lead the Colonels who were outgained by MSU 411-391.

Eastern Kentucky has converted 6-of-11 third down plays and collected 276 total yards to build a 14-0 advantage in the first half here over visiting Missouri State with both clubs looking for their first win of the 2011 season.
The Colonels scored first, taking the opening drive of the game 75 yards to paydirt on eight plays to build a 7-0 lead. Pryor found a wide open Chris Moore for a 33-yard touchdown strike, followed by a Luke Pray kick.
The Bears punted four times in the first half and committed a costly turnover with 9:21 left in the second. Wooden coughed up the ball after a keeper to midfield. Jeremy Caldwell picked up the loose ball and returned it to the Bears’ 26. Three plays later, Williams broke three tackles and completed a seven-yard run in the end zone to make it 14-0.

EKU threatened again later in the quarter, but elected to fake a field goal with 1:21 to go which the Bears snuffed out to take over on downs at their own 20. On third-and-10, Wooden carried 30 yards to the 50-yard line, but was sacked twice before time ran out to end the MSU threat and keep it 14-0 at the break.

Missouri State will travel to No. 13 Oregon next week for a 2:30 p.m. (Central) kickoff. The Bears begin Missouri Valley Football Conference play on Sept. 24 at Southern Illinois (6 p.m.).

— MSU Sports Information —

NWMSU soccer team ties Newman, 2-2

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Northwest Missouri State soccer team finished their first road trip of the year by tying the Newman University Jets 2-2 Saturday afternoon in non-conference women’s soccer action. Victoria Von Mende was responsible for both of the Bearcats goals.

It is the second overtime game and first draw of the season for the Bearcats who are now off to a 2-1-1 start to the 2011 season. It was also the first draw of the season for the Jets who are also 2-1-1 on the season.

Northwest struck first when Von Mende scored off of an assist by Tammie Eiberger in the 12th minute. That would be the only goal of the first half for the Bearcats. The Jets would even the score to 1-1 less than a minute before halftime when Bianca Torres snuck a shot past Northwest goalkeeper Kelsey Adams off of an assist by Megan Hostick. It was the first goal of the season for Torres.

The Bearcats would retake the lead in the 57th minute when Von Mende scored her second goal of the day and fourth goal of the 2011 season. However, Newman would once again tie the game at 2-2 in the 87th minute when Celia Myers scored her fourth goal of the season off of an assist by Lorielle Slates. This would be the final goal of the day for either team.

The Bearcats open MIAA action this week when they travel to Truman State University on Thursday. Northwest will then return home to face Southwest Baptist on Saturday at Bearcat Pitch.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Northwest cross country teams open season with victories

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

The Northwest Missouri State men’s and women’s cross country teams picked up wins in their first meet of the season hosting the 2011 Bearcat Open.

The men placed their top five runners in the top seven, while the women’s top five finished in the top 12.

For the women Angela Adams came in as the individual winner for Northwest with a time of 18:49.0 followed by Katti Carroll in second. Carroll covered the 5k course with a time of 19:13.4 as Hedi Johnson and Jordan Esry gave the Bearcat women four runners in the top 10.

On the men’s side TR Pursell paced the Bearcats with a second place finish followed by Zachary Layton in third. Pursell covered the men’s four mile course in 21:06.5 while Layton was close behind at 21:12.8.

Northwest heads to Lincoln, Neb., next weekend as both the men and women will compete at the Woody Greeno Invitational.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Mizzou’s comeback falls shorts in OT at Arizona State

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Arizona State won in a Black Out.

Brock Osweiler hit Jamal Miles on an 11-yard touchdown pass in overtime and Arizona State held on defense to make a big early-season statement with a wild 37-30 victory over No. 21 Missouri on Friday night.

“My heart’s fluttered,” Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson said.

Playing in front of a “Black Out” crowd at Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona State (2-0) built a 30-16 lead behind Osweiler on his way to 353 yards and three touchdowns passing, another score rushing.

The Sun Devils had trouble closing out games last season and appeared to be headed toward another disheartening loss when Missouri (1-1) charged back behind James Franklin.

He opened the fourth quarter with a a 25-yard touchdown pass to L’Damian Washington, then tied it on 3-yard TD pass to Michael Egnew with 2:50 left. Franklin moved the Tigers quickly at the end of regulation to set up a field goal, but Grant Ressel’s attempt from 48 yards missed wide left with 12 seconds left.

The Sun Devils opened overtime with the 11-yard touchdown from Osweiler to Miles on a swing pass, then swarmed the field after Franklin’s fourth-down pass fell harmlessly into the end zone, ending a back-and-forth game that included 23 penalties for 224 yards.

Aaron Pflugrad caught eight passes for a career-high 180 yards and a pair of touchdowns — the second on a trick-play pass by Miles — and Arizona State finished with 492 yards to beat a ranked opponent for the first time in its past 11 tries.

“That’s the kind of game we couldn’t win last season,” Pflugrad said.

Franklin almost single-handedly kept the Tigers in it.

A week after a nervous first start, the sophomore threw for 319 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 84 yards and another score.

It just wasn’t enough on a night in which Missouri had 501 total yards, but converted just three of 15 third-down chances to see its 22-game winning streak in regular-season nonconference games come to an end.

“My guys battled back in a really tough environment and put ourselves in a position to win,” said Missouri coach Gary Pinkel, whose team lost to Iowa at Sun Devil Stadium in last year’s Insight Bowl. “We were down 14 going into the fourth quarter and then we tie it up and have a chance to win at the very end. These are tough losses.”

Both teams came in looking to make a statement against a big-time program after opening against smaller schools.

Arizona State rolled over UC Davis in its opener, thanks to 262 yards and a pair of touchdowns from Osweiler, along with a stingy defense that held the FCS Aggies to minus-4 yards rushing before giving up a couple of late scores.

The Tigers struggled offensively in their opening 17-6 win over Miami of Ohio, scoring their fewest points in an opener since 2001 as Franklin played with what he called “jittery feet.” Missouri’s defense made up for the offensive shortcomings, stifling the RedHawks, giving up the one score after an interception by Franklin gave them a short field.

This first-big-test matchup had Sun Devil Stadium juiced for one of the few times in recent years, a sellout crowd — the first since 2008 — of 70,236 fans dressed in black to create the “Black Out.” A nearby lightning storm added to the buzz, as did the celebrities in attendance: golfer Phil Mickelson, Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, not to mention a dozen or so NFL scouts.

They got to see quite a show.

Osweiler was sharp from the opening drive, squeezing a 12-yard touchdown pass between two defenders to Miles, who was pinballed but still held on.

Arizona State had to settle for Alex Garoutte’s 47-yard field goal after a fourth-down conversion was wiped out by a penalty early in the second quarter, but Osweiler answered Missouri’s first touchdown with a 60-yard scoring pass to Pflugrad on the next play. Missouri blocked Garoutte’s extra-point attempt.

Osweiler had the hockey assist on the back pass to Miles, who hit Pflugrad for a 35-yard touchdown pass, then took it in himself for a rumbling 12-yard touchdown run up the middle that put ASU up 30-16. Osweiler finished 24-for-32.

“Our team is just relentless,” Osweiler said. “We refuse to give up.”

So did Franklin and the Tigers.

Baffling Arizona State with his arm and his legs, he had a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, set up three field goals by Ressel and opened the fourth quarter with a 25-yard TD pass to Washington that got the Tigers within 30-23 early in the fourth quarter.

Franklin followed with the 3-yard touchdown pass to Egnew, tying it at 30-all with 2:50 left, and had the Tigers moving again, but Ressel missed the final chance in regulation. Franklin’s last-ditch attempt on fourth down in overtime fell in the corner of the end zone when his receiver cut inside. He finished 26-for-42.

“I think this guy is going to be pretty special. I said that last week — that is all I have to say,” Pinkel said. “Are you kidding me? To make some of the plays he did in that game.”

— Associated Press —

Griffons get swept by No. 5 Nebraska-Kearney

Posted on September 10, 2011September 10, 2011

Missouri Western fell in the night cap on day one of the UNK Fall Classic presented by Runza and Best Western against host and 5th ranked Nebraska-Kearney, 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-14). Western was led by senior Tahler Johnston with nine kills while junior Stephanie Hattey had 18 set assists and 11 digs. The Griffons fall to 3-3 on the season.

Western struggled in the first set against the high powered Lopers. UNK used runs of 6-0 and 7-0 to claim the 25-10 victory in the opening set. The Griffons played better in set two scoring six straight points claiming an early 8-2 victory. With the score tied at two Western scored five of their six straight points off freshman Brooke Cousino’s serve.

The Lopers battled back tying the score at 10, 11, 12 and 13 before taking control and pushing their lead to 20-15 winning seven of nine points. The Griffons got just two points the rest of the set falling 25-17.

Set three belonged to the Lopers as they opened up an early 12-5 lead. The rest of the set was close with the Lopers out scoring Western 13-9 claiming 25-14 victory in set three and the sweep in the match.

The Griffons hit just .010 in the match with 25 kills while the Lopers hit .319 with 39 kills. Western had 40 digs to the Lopers 48 and had 24 set assists to the Lopers 36.

UNK improves to 7-0 on the season being led by Ariel Krolikowski and Ellie Pesavento with 10 kills apiece. Jenna Touzee had 33 set assists while Markeya Dubbs finished with 13 digs.

Western will close out the UNK Fall Classic tomorrow, Saturday, September 10 with two matches. Western will take Black Hill State University at 2:00 pm and #10 Wayne State College (Neb.) at 6:00 pm.

— MWSU Sports Information —