Football 11/16/2011 12:46:00 PM

GRIFFON FOOTBALL SET FOR FIRST EVER HOME PLAYOFF GAME

Live Stats | Free Live Video | Live Audio | Season Stats | MWSU Game Notes

GAME STORY LINES
GAME CENTER: #16 MISSOURI WESTERN vs. #10 NW MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY
Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 12:00 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph, Mo. - Spratt Stadium (8,000)
Webcast: http://www.b2livetv.com/partner_members.asp?id=289 (Free)
Internet: http://www.680kfeq.com/section/view/missouri_western_griffons/89/
Radio: AM 680 KFEQ and online at gogriffons.com
The Series: Missouri Western trails the all-time series 11-21.
Series Notes: Western snapped an eight game losing streak two weeks ago. Western is 0-1 against Northwest in the playoffs falling last season 28-24 in Maryville, Mo.

Setting the scene:
The Griffons will look to extend their winning streak to eight in a row this weekend when they take on the 10th ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats in St. Joseph, Mo. in the first round of the Division II national playoffs. Western is has not won eight games in a row in the history of the program. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams in the past two season. This marks the second straight season that the two teams have met in the first round of the playoffs. Western lost last years contest 28-24 last season in Maryville, Mo. Both teams have been ranked in the top-25 in three of the last four meetings and are both ranked in the top 25 for the second time this season when meeting. Western snapped an eight game losing streak against the Bearcats in the last meeting. This marks the highest seed the Griffons have been ever in the playoffs as they were 6th in 2006 and 6th last season. The Griffons come into the contest with a 9-2 overall record and 7-2 in MIAA play. Western has won a single season high nine games for the sixth time in school history as they have done it in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. Western is 5-1 at home this season winning their last five home game after falling in the season opener against Pittsburg State. The Bearcats are 9-2 overall which includes 4-1 on the road. The Bearcats hold a 21-11 lead in the series which includes winning last seasons playoff game 28-24 in Maryville, Mo. last season by a score of November 20, 2010. This will mark the second meeting between the coach Partridge and Adam Dorrel in the past three weeks.

Griffons on Radio:
The game will be broadcasted live on KFEQ 680 AM. The game can also be heard on the internet at www.gogriffons.com by following the “webcast” link under game day. Dave Riggert will be the play-by-play voice of the Griffons and Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Orf will be the color analyst. Kent Heier will provide sideline insight for listeners on the field. The broadcast will start approximately one hour prior to kickoff.

The Coaches:
Missouri Western head football coach Jerry Partridge is in his fifteenth season as the Griffons head coach. Partridge is 112-61 (.643) and 84-48 (.631) against MIAA opponents as the Griffons head coach and third all-time in the MIAA in victories. He led the Griffons to their first MIAA title and to three DII Playoff appearance in 2006, 2010 and 2011. He shared MIAA Coach of the Year honors in 2000 after leading the Griffons to an 8-1 MIAA record. This marks the 17th meeting in Coach Partridges era against the Bearcats of NW Missouri State. Coach Partridge is just 3-13 in his career against NWMSU. Coach Partridge is 2-6 against the Bearcats in St. Joseph and 1-7 in Maryville against NWMSU. He is 0-1 in playoff games against the Bearcats. Western won the last meeting with Northwest 31-28 in St. Joseph on November 5, 2011. Western is still searching for their first playoff victory in school history. Overall coach Partridge has guided Western to nine post season appearances with six being in the Mineral Water Bowl. Western is 0-2 in NCAA Division II playoffs and 7-4 in postseason bowl games.

Dorrel, a member of the Bearcat coaching staff since 2004, takes over a program that enters its 96th season three wins shy of 500 (497-388-33) and owns a 46-game regular season winning streak against MIAA opponents. The Bearcats have made the NCAA Division II football playoffs 14 of the last 16 seasons. As offensive coordinator, Dorrel helped lead the Bearcats to an unprecedented five straight NCAA Division II championship appearances and the program's third national title in 2009. In his seven seasons as a full-time coach at Northwest, the Bearcat football squad is 87-14 (.861) with five MIAA championships. This season Dorrel is 9-2 in his first season as the Bearcats head coach.

Series Notes
This marks the 33rd meeting between the two schools and fourth time in two years. The Bearcats hold a 21-11 advantage in the series. Northwest has won 14 of the last 17 meeting which includes the first ever meeting between the two teams in the DII Playoff last season. The Bearcats won 28-24 in Maryville, Mo. on November 20, 2010. The Bearcats have won 10 of the 17 meetings in Maryville and 11 of the last 15 meetings in St. Joseph. The last time the Griffons defeated the Bearcats was on earlier this season by a score of 31-28 in St. Joseph. The victory snapped an eight game losing streak to the Bearcats. The last victory in Maryville came in 2001 by a score of 37-30 on November 3, 2001.

The Bearcats longest winning streak was from 2004-2010 where they won eight straight meetings against the Griffons. Western's longest winning streak was from 1993-1995. The largest margin of victory for the Griffons was in 1994 when they won 20-0 in Maryville. The largest margin of victory for the Bearcats was this season when they defeated the Griffons 42-0 on October 3 in Maryville.

Coach Partridge is 3-13 all time against the Bearcats. Coach Partridge is just 2-6 in St. Joseph and 1-7 in Maryville..

Western has scored 20 or more points against the Bearcats in seven of the last eight meetings but the Bearcats have scored 24 or more in all eight of those meeting which includes over 40 in four of the last six meetings.

Coach Partridge is 2-2 in November against Northwest which includes last seasons 28-24 loss in the DII playoffs and this season victory 31-28 on November 5. His previous victory in November was on November 3 at Northwest by a score of 37-30.

vs. Northwest when the Bearcats are ranked
The Griffons are just 3-14 since 1990 against the Bearcats when Northwest is ranked in the top-25. They are 2-6 at home against Northwest and 1-8 on the road. Under Partridge the Griffons are 2-13 against Northwest when the Bearcats are ranked. They are 2-6 at home and 0-7 on the road. Their previous victory prior to two weeks ago under Partridge came on October 25 when the Griffons defeated the Bearcats 30-27 in overtime in St. Joseph.

vs. Northwest when the Griffons are ranked
Since 1990 the Griffons are 1-3 when they are ranked against the Bearcats. Western is 1-1 at home and 0-2 on the road. Last season the Griffons were ranked 8th in the regular season when they fell 42-0 in Maryville. Western's first meeting with Northwest when they both were ranked was in 2006 when they were 16th and the Bearcats were 2nd. Western fell 24-21 n Maryville, Mo. on September 23. The Griffons were ranked 25th in the previous meeting this year and are 16th this week.

Western against Ranked Opponents
Western is 20-35 against DII ranked opponents after defeating 3rd ranked NW Missouri State 31-28 on November 4 in Spratt Stadium. Under head coach Jerry Partridge the Griffons are 16-28 against ranked opponents as their previous victory came on September 10, 2011 by a score of 23-6 against the 12th ranked Central Missouri Mules.

Western against ranked opponents at home
The Griffons are 12-13 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents after their victory against Northwest. The previous victory at home against a ranked opponent was on September 10, 2011 when they beat #12 Central Missouri by a score of 23-6.

Western against ranked opponents on the road Under Partridge
Western is 4-15 under coach Partridge on the road against ranked opponents. Western's last victory on the road came last season in Washburn by a score of 36-33 on September 18, 2010. The Griffons first victory against a ranked opponent under Partridge on the road was on October 2, 2004 when they defeated 16th ranked Central Missouri 49-44.

Griffons in TV Games Under Partridge
Western is 3-4 under Partridge after their against the Bearcats last weekend. Western is 2-1 this season in televised games beating UCM and NWMSU and losing to Washburn. Last season the Griffons went 1-1 in television games defeating Pittsburg State 42-24 on September 25 in St. Joseph and falling 42-0- against Northwest Missouri State on October 2. Western fell at 10th ranked Pittsburg State 21-14 back on November 6, 1997 and to #18 Emporia State on October 8, 1998 by a score of 42-34 in St. Joseph, Mo. Western is 0-1 in nationally televised games falling to Washburn earlier this season.

Getting to the Quarterback
As a team the Griffons rank 8th in the nation in sacks per game at 3.36 and first in the MIAA. Individually David Bass is 2nd in the nation in sacks per game with 1.32 and is first in the MIAA. He has 14.5 sacks on the year.

Defensive Pass Success
The Griffons are outstanding in pass coverage as they are 21st in the NCAA in Pass Efficiency Defense and second in the MIAA. Jeremy Weston is tied for 29th in the nation and T4th in the MIAA averaging .45 interceptions per game.

Rushing Attack
The Griffons are a perfect 8-0 this season when they rush for over 200 yards as a team. The Griffons are 9th in the nation in rushing offense averaging 254.00 yards per game which puts them second in the MIAA. Individually Michael Hill is 17th in the nation averaging 112.73 yards per game which puts him 1st in the MIAA.

Kicking Game
Junior punter Scott Groner is 9th in the nation in punting average at 42.56 yards per punt and is third in the MIAA. Senior place kicker Greg Zuerlein is 1st in the nation in field goals per game at 2.22 and 7th in Scoring averaging 10.67 points per game. He has made an NCAA DII record 18 straight field goals.

Griffon Football History
Western is 245-202-9 in their 42nd year of Griffon football.

A win for Western would
Lift the Griffons to 246-202-9 in their football history...lift the Griffons to 12-21 all-time against the Bearcats and 4-11 in St. Joseph...give Western its 8th straight victory on the season which would be a program record...five Western their first ever NCAA Playoff victory...lift Partridge to 4-13 against NWMSU and 3-6 in St. Joseph...lift Partridge to 2-1 in St. Joseph in November against NWMSU and to 2-3 in November against NWMSU...give Travis Partridge a 2-0 record against Northwest as the starting quarterback.

A loss for Western would
Drop the Griffons to 245-203-9 in their football history...drop Partridge to 3-14 against the Bearcats...extend the playoff losing steak to three games..drop Western to 11-22 against NWMSU...drop Western to 4-12 in St. Joseph..drop Partridge to 1-4 in November against NWMSU...drop Travis Partridge to 9-3 in 12 starts as the Griffons starting quarterback.

Post season under Coach Partridge
The Griffons have made a postseason appearance seven of the last eight years with five of those being in the Mineral Water Bowl (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009). Western made its first ever playoff appearance in 2006 against Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas. Last season Western made their second ever playoff appearance against Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Mo.

Griffons on Nov. 19th
Since the 1970 season, the Griffons are 1-0 overall on November 19th. The Griffons are have not played a game at home or on the road on November 19. Their only game they have played was in 1977 against Benedictine in the Boot Hill Bowl. Western won that contest 35-30. Coach Partridge has not played a game on November 19.

In November Under Partridge
In November under Partridge the Griffons are 21-10 since 1997. Western is 14-2 at home in November and 7-8 on the road. The Griffons are 2-2 against the Bearcats in November under Partridge.

Climbing The Record Books
Griffon junior running back Michael hill keeps climbing the record book in the rushing category. Hill sits in 5th all-time with 2,736 yards in his career. He is 44 yards out of fourth and 661 yards out of first. He is second all-time in carries with 597 just 97 behind Thomas Hodges for first. In the receiving category Adam Clausen is 15th in receiving yards with 1,388.

Defensively David Bass is climbing the record books as well. Bass has 20.0 tackles for a loss this season which is a new single season record. He broke Eric McDowells mark of 18.5 which was set in 2003. He has 14.5 sacks on the year which is .5 back of McDowell's record of 15 set in 2003 and he has 29.0 sacks in his career which is 1.5 behind Kinney Redding 30.5 which he set during the stretch of 1974-1977. He is 10.0 tackles for a loss away from tying Michael Cobbins 50 which was set between 2002-2006.

Up Next
If the Griffons win they will travel to Midwestern State in Wichita Falls, Texas on Saturday, November 26. The Griffons have faced Midwestern State one other time in the playoffs falling 26-24 in 2006.

Print Friendly Version

Missouri Western State University Athletics

Schedule

Events

GRIFFON FOOTBALL SET FOR FIRST EVER HOME PLAYOFF GAME