Kickoff
No. 9 Missouri Western Griffons will take on their fifth straight top-25 ranked opponent on Saturday, November 17 in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Griffons will host the #7 Bulldogs of Minnesota Duluth (10-1) from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference at 12:00 pm in Spratt Stadium. The Griffons are coming off a dramatic come from behind victory over then #4 NW Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. last Saturday to win the MIAA Title out right for the first time in school history. The Griffons shared the title back in 2003. The Bulldogs closed out their regular season last weekend in Duluth, Minn. with a 49-31 victory over Northern State University (S.D.). The winner of this game will travel to Arkadelphia, Ark. to take on the regions #2 team Henderson State University on Saturday, November 24.
STORY LINES
• This marks the 3rd meeting all-time between the Bulldogs and the Griffons...The two teams played a home and away in the 2007 and 2008 season.
• This marks the 2nd meeting in St. Joseph, Mo. and the first meeting between the two teams in the NCAA Playffs. The Bulldogs hold a 1-0 lead in St. Joseph defeating the Griffons 47-18 on September 6, 2008.
• The Griffons are 0-1 against the Bulldogs when UMD is ranked.
• The Griffons finished 5-1 at home defeating, Central Missouri, William-Jewell, Nebraska-Kearney, Central Oklahoma and Washburn. Their only loss came against Missouri Southern.
• The Griffons are a perfect 5-0 on the road this season and 5-0 in MIAA play on the road...MWSU beat Fort Hays State 21-7, Northeastern State 45-31, #7 Pittsburg State 63-14, #15 Emporia State 57-28 and #4 NW Missouri State 21-20.
• For the first time in history the Griffons have won 10 games in a season and are the outright MIAA Champions.
• The Griffons are looking for their first ever NCAA Playoff victory. The Griffons have lost to Midwestern State in 2006, Northwest Missouri State in 20010 and in 2011...the average defeat in those three losses is four points.
• This marks the second time in history and second straight time the Griffons have hosted a home playoff game...MWSU is 0-1 falling 35-29 last season against #10 NW Missouri State.
• The Bulldogs are no stranger to the Postseason as they won the NCAA Division II Championship in 2008 and 2010.
• The Griffons highest ranking ever in the AFCA poll is 4th while their highest in the D2Football.com poll is 3rd.
• Dating back to last season the Griffons have won 17 of 18 regular season games with 16 being MIAA games.
• Missouri Western broke the single game record for yards per rush against William Jewell with 9.7 yard per carry average. The old record was 7.8 which was set on October 22, 2005 vs. Southwest Baptist.
•
Taylor Anderson broke the record for most consecutive PATs made in a season with 60 and has made 66 straight in his career.
• MWSU leads the MIAA in rushing yards per game averaging 287.4 yards per game while senior running back
Michael Hill is second in the the nation averaging 164.5 yards per game.
• Senior defensive end
David Bass leads the MIAA in sacks per game averaging 0.86...he is tied for 20th in the nation...he set the MWSU record for tackles for a loss in a career with 51.
• Hill is 6th in the nation in All-Purpose yards per game averaging 181.30 per game.
•
Travis Partridge has thrown for or ran for 33 touchdowns in MIAA games this season...he leads the MIAA and is 12th in the nation in passing efficiency at 158.8.
•
Michael Hill has been selected as one of the top-24 for the Harlon Hill Trophy which is the top plyaer in Division II.
• The 10 victories is a school record for wins in a season. The previous record was 9 which was done six times.(2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011).
COACHES
MWSU head football coach Jerry Partridge. . .
• Named the sixth head coach of the Griffon football program in 1997
• Is 122-63 (.659) in his 16th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 93-48 (.660) against the MIAA.
• 2012 & 2000 MIAA Coach of the Year
• Has led the Griffons to four NCAA Playoff
appearances and six Mineral Water bowl appearance.
• Led the Griffons to the 2012 MIAA Championship and 2003 Co-MIAA regular season championship.
• Has secured his seventh winning seasons in last eight years
• Led the Griffons to a school record 10 victories this season and to nine victories or more in eight of his 16 seasons which included last and this season.
• Is Missouri Western's all-time winningest coach with 122 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks Coach P's 3rd meeting with Minnesota-Duluth...He is 1-1 overall against Minnesota-Duluth.
• Played four years at Missouri Western.
• Partridge is 69-23 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
• Marks the 3rd meeting against coach Nielson...Is 1-1 against Nielson
Minnesota-Duluth head coach Bob Nielson.. .
• Two NCAA II championships, five Northern Sun Intercollegiate Confernece titles (including the last four in a row), three perfect 11-0 regular seasons, five NCAA II playoff appearances, 100 victories and a .789 overall winning percentage. Bob Nielson has accomplished all this -- and much more -- in just nine seasons of head coaching activity at UMD.
• Named the 2008 NCAA II Coach of the Year by American Football Monthly magazine, D2Football.com, and the Football Gazette, Nielson now owns a dazzling 100-25 overall record at UMD (that .789 winning percentage is far and away the best mark in the program's storied 79-year existence) and is 170-58-1 (.736) in his 19 seasons of coaching at the collegiate level.
• Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education from Wartburg College in 1982 (he graduated with a 4.00 cumulative grade point average) and a Master's degree in physical education from the University of Northern Iowa six years later. He and his wife, Terri, have three children -- Amanda Taylor (who lives in Erie, Colo.) and twins Kyle and Kasey -- and reside in Hermantown.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• Missouri Western was 5-1 when leading after the first quarter last season and are 9-1 this season...The Griffons were ahead 21-0 against WU on Saturday after the first quarter. MWSU won 56-28...MWSU trailed 17-0 at the half against NWMSU.
September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 38-24 overall and 19-12 in Spratt Stadium and 19-12 on the road.
Outstanding October
• In the month of October under Partridge the Griffons are 49-22 overall, 25-9 in Spratt Stadium and 24-13 on the road.
Playing in November
The Griffons are 23-12 in November under coach Partridge...MWSU is 15-4 at home and 8-8 on the road...two of the road losses came in the Division II playoffs.
Playing on November 17
• The Griffons have played just one game on November 17...The fell at Texas A&I by a score of 28-13 on in 1984.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 122-64-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...MWSU is 5-1 this season.
Red Zone Success
• In their 11 games this season Missouri Western is 48-53 with 41 touchdowns and seven field goals when in the red zone.
• In 2011 the Griffons continued that trend scoring on 46 of 51 trips into the red zone with 29 touchdowns and 17 field goals. Opponents scored on 29 of 37 trips in the Griffons red zone collecting 21 touchdowns with eight field goals.
• In the 2009 and 2010 seasons the Griffons were outstanding in the red zone converting on a combined 95 of 115 trips into the red zone scoring 71 touchdowns with 24 field goals.
Missouri Western at home when ranked since 1989
• When the Griffons are ranked and play at home under coach Partridge they are 17-8.
• The Griffons are 29-18 when they are ranked since 1989.
• Missouri Western is 29-16 when ranked under Partridge.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents
Western is 24-36 against DII ranked opponents after defeating 4th ranked NW Missouri State last weekend in Maryville, Mo. MWSU has defeated four straight teams in the top-25 which included 25th ranked Washburn Ichabods 56-28 on November 3, 2012 in Spratt Stadium. MWSU beat 15th ranked Emporia State 57-28 on October 25, 2012 in Emporia. MWSU beat #7 Pittsburg State on October 20, 2012 in Pittsburg. Under head coach
Jerry Partridge the Griffons are 21-29 against ranked opponents as their previous victory before the PSU win came came on September 10, 2011 by a score of 23-6 against the 12th ranked Central Missouri Mules.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents at home
The Griffons are 13-14 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents after their victory against Washburn last weekend. The previous victory at home against a ranked opponent was last season on November 5 against No. 3 Northwest Missouri State 31-28. Before that it came on September 10, 2011 when they beat #12 Central Missouri by a score of 23-6.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents on the road Under Partridge
Missouri Western is 7-15 under coach Partridge on the road against ranked opponents. MWSU's last victory on the road came last week by a score of 21-20 against NW Missouri State in Maryville, Mo. Before this year it was in 2010 defeating #15 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
Missouri Western is 7-4 under Partridge in television games after defeating NW Missouri State, 21-20 and Emporia State 58-17. MWSU defeated Nebraska-Kearney 38-14 earlier this season. MWSU went 3-0 this season on TV. Missouri Western went 2-1 last season in televised games. Last season MWSU defeated UCM and NWMSU on the MIAA Television Network and lost to Washburn on CBS College Sports. In 2010 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 last season.
When rushing for over 200 yards since 2011
Last season the Griffons were 11-0 when they rushed for over 200 yards as a team. This season they are 9-1 as they went for 418 against Washburn. The went for 382 against Emporia State and 240 in their victory against PSU. They went for 260 loss against MSSU. In their victories they went for 237 against Northeastern State, 243 against Central Oklahoma, 264 against Fort Hays State., 358 against Nebraska-Kearney, 216 yards against Central Missouri Mules and 398 against William Jewell.
When controlling the time of possession
When the Griffons lead in time of possession they are 14-1 since last season. They were 8-1 in 2011 and 6-0 this season controlling the ball.
Defensive Success
This season the Griffons defense has been outstanding. MWSU is second in the MIAA and is 22nd in the nation giving up just 19.80 points per contest. They are tied for 22nd in the nation and second in the MIAA sacking the quarterback 2.70 times per game.
David Bass is T14th in the nation and 1st in the MIAA averaging 0.95 sacks per game.
Against UMD when Ranked Under Partridge
This is the first time the Griffons have been ranked when they take on the Bulldogs.
Against UMD Under Partridge when UMD is ranked
The Griffons are 0-1 when they take on Minnesota-Duluth when the Bulldogs are ranked. UMD defeated the Griffons 47-18 in 2008 when they were ranked 17th in the nation.
Series History with Minnesota-Duluth
09/06/08 #17 UMD 47, at MWSU 18
09/08/07 MWSU 45, at UMD 25
History in the Playoffs
11/19/11 #10 NWMSU 39, at #16 MWSU 29
11/20/10 at #3 NWMSU 28, MWSU
11/18/06 at #18 MSU 28, #15 MWSU 26
Record: 0-3
MSU = Midwestern State
NWMSU = Northwest Missouri State
History in the Postseason
11/19/11 #10 NWMSU 39, at #16 MWSU 29!
11/20/10 at #3 NWMSU 28, MWSU!
12/05/09 MWSU 35, vs. AC 21
12/06/08 vs. AC 37, MWSU 16 #
12/01/07 MWSU 20, vs. WSC 13 #
11/18/06 at #18 MSU 28, #15 MWSU 26!
12/03/05 MWSU 35, vs. CSP 23 #
12/06/03 MWSU 24, vs. CSP 14 #
12/02/00 vs. WSU 43, MWSU 41 (3OT) #
11/22/75 at MWSU 44, GC 0 #
11/19/77 at MWSU 35, BC 30 *
11/24/79 at MWSU 72, WJC 44 ^
Record: 7-5
* = Boot Hill Bowl
^ = Moila Shrine Bowl
# = Mineral Water Bow
! = D2 Playoffs
GC = Graceland College
BC = Benedictine College
WJC = William Jewell College
MSU = Midwestern State
NWMSU = Northwest Missouri State
WSU = Winnon State
CSP = Concordia-St. Paul
AC = Augustana College
WSC = Wayne State (Neb.) College
About UMD:
• The Bulldogs have now qualified for the NCAA II playoffs on seven occasions in their 80-year history (all coming in the past 11 seasons) and have an 11-4 record to show for it.
• Under direction of current head coach Bob Nielson, UMD laid claim to its first NCAA II title in any sport four years ago and repeated that feat in 2010, ending both seasons with a perfect 15-0 mark.
• With 293 overall yards on the Senior Day victory, Chase Vogler was the NSIC Offensive Player of the Week and also moved into the No. 2 spot on the Bulldogs' all-time total offense charts with 10,107 yards and improved to 46-5 as a collegiate starter (25-2 at home).
• Here is how UMD ranks among NCAA II schools in a variety of statistical categories at the moment:
Kickoff Returns 2nd 26.62 ypr
Sacks Allowed 5th 0.55 spg
Scoring Offense 4th 45.73 ppg
Rushing Defense 13th 99.45 ypg
Rushing Offense 10th 268.82 ypg
Passing Efficiency 15th 159.51
Scoring Defense 29th 20.36 ppg
Griffon Football History
Western is 255-204-9 in their 43rd year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 256-204-9 in their football history...lift the Griffons to 2-1 all-time against the Bulldogs and 1-1 in St. Joseph...give MWSU a record 11 wins in a season...give MWSU their first ever DII Playoff victory...lift Partridge to 2-1 against UMD and 1-1 in St. Joseph...give
Travis Partridge a 1-0 record against UMD as the starting quarterback and 1-1 in the NCAA Playoffs.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 255-205-9 in their football history...drop Partridge to 1-2 against the Bulldogs...drop MWSU to 0-4 in the playoffs...drop MWSU to 0-2 in St. Joseph against the Bulldogs...drop
Travis Partridge to 0-1 against the Bulldogs and 0-2 in the NCAA Playoffs.
Series Notes
This marks the 3rd meeting between the two schools and third time since 2007 and first in the playoffs. The two teams are tied 1-1 with the Bulldogs winning in St. Joseph and the Griffons winning in Duluth. Duluth won the last meeting in 2008 47-18 in St. Joseph. The last victory in for the Griffons came in 2007 by a score of 45-27 on September 8, 2007 in Duluth, Minn.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 9 in the AFCA preseason top 25 poll. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 19 polls and has received votes in 39 of the last 40 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was listed at No. 8 in the d2football.com media poll. The #3 ranking the Griffons had earlier this season is the highest ranking for the Griffons. The #4 ranking was the highest by the AFCA.
Up Next
The winner will move on in the playoffs to take on the #2 ranked Henderson State Reddies on Saturday, November 24 in Arkadelphia, Ark. Game time will more than likely be at 12:00 pm noon.
