TEXARKANA, Ark. – Griffon Football (7-5) jumped out to an early lead and hung on to win the 2018 Agent Barry Live United Bowl, 30-25 over Southern Arkansas (8-4).
Outstanding special teams and crucial plays on both sides of the ball helped Missouri Western to its first seven-win season since 2014. Senior kicker Tyler Basch was named the Agent Barry Live United Bowl MVP after going three-for-three on field goal attempts including a Live United Bowl record 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Basch’s bowl record breaking kick tied the Missouri Western record.
NOTABLES
- Missouri Western led 20-0 at halftime, but the Southern Arkansas offense started to click in the second half
- The Griffon lead was down to eight (27-19) with 11:25 to play, but Basch capped an 11-play, 64-yard drive that took more than five minutes off the clock with a 27-yard field goal to put MWSU up 30-19 with 5:58 to go
- Southern Arkansas would score again, but failed to convert its third two-point try of the game to make the score 30-25 with 1:48 left
- Missouri Western recovered the ensuing onside kick and left Southern Arkansas with just forty seconds on the clock and the ball at its own 13-yard line. The Griffon defense held to clinch the game for the Griffons
- It was the program’s first postseason victory since defeating Henderson State in the second round of the 2012 playoffs and the first bowl win since the 2009 Mineral Water Bowl
- The special teams were fantastic for the Griffons with Kyle Dumler blocking a first half field goal attempt, Shamar Griffith blocking a punt, Luke Theis pinning Southern Arkansas inside its own 20 three times and Sam Aviles averaging 61 yards per kickoff with four touchbacks. Southern Arkansas also had a muffed snap on its first punt attempt of the game and Brandin Dandridge had a highlight reel punt return touchdown called back due to offsetting penalties.
- Missouri Western held a powerful Southern Arkansas offense to just 120 first half yards, but the Muleriders added 321 in the second half
- The Griffon defense held Southern Arkansas to 96 rushing yards on 31 carries while the Griffon offense rushed for 116 on 28 carries
LEADERS
- James Bailey Jr. had two rushing touchdowns on 10 carries for 45 yards
- Dom Marino was 13-for-23 through the air for 211 yards and a touchdown
- Joe Horn Jr. and Carlos Thompson each had three catches
- Shamar Griffith led the team with 57 receiving yards
- Jabbar Miles and Kobe Cummings each had 12 tackles to lead the team
- Cummings also broke up two passes
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Pooka Williams Jr., was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and also picked up All-Big 12 First Team honors as both a running back and kick returner, joining seniors linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., and defensive lineman Daniel Wise as the Big 12 Conference awards were announced Wednesday. Williams, Dineen and Wise led the way as Kansas football had a total of 11 members of the program pick up all-conference honors as voted on by the 10 league coaches.
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior right tackle Dalton Risner, the 2018 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, led five Wildcats that were named to the Coaches’ All-Big 12 teams, the conference office announced Wednesday.
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Quinton Rose scored 18 points to lead Temple to a 79-77 victory over Missouri.
Northwest Missouri State can celebrate its first volleyball All-American in senior
LIBERTY, Mo. – The Missouri Western men’s basketball team (5-4) used a balanced offensive effort and solid team defense to pick up a road win over William Jewell 78-75 on Monday night. The win snaps a three-game losing skid and wraps up the Griffon’s five-game road trip.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Isaac Copeland Jr. wasn’t about to let this resume-builder slip away for Nebraska.
ST. JOSEPH – Due to current driving conditions between Alamosa, Colorado, and St. Joseph, the Missouri Western women’s basketball game versus Adams State on Nov. 27 has been postponed until Dec. 30.