Kickoff
Griffon Athletics in conjunction with the Missouri Army National Guard are proud to present Military Appreciation Night this Saturday at Spratt Stadium as #8 Griffon Football hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 6 PM. This marks the first meeting between the two schools since September 5, 1998. For schedule of events click HERE.

Game Information Date / Time: September 15, 2012 / 6:07 p.m. CST Site: St. Joseph, Mo. - Spratt Stadium (8,000) Radio: Griffon Sports Network (KFEQ 680 AM St. Joseph & KMRN 1360 AM Cameron)     Talent: Dave Riggert (pxp), Bob Orf (analyst),      Nick McCutcheon (sideline) Telvision: MIAA Television Network Twitter Updates: @gogriffons Series: UNK leads 16-6     St. Joseph, Mo.: UNK leads 7-4     Kearney, Neb.: UNk leads 9-2     First Meeting: October 31, 1970 - at MWSU     UNK won 34-14     Last Meeting: September 5, 1998- at UNK        MWSU won 26-23 in season opener

Missouri Western Griffons (2-0, 1-0 MIAA) Football Page Roster Statistics (2012) Schedule Game Notes Athletic Website

Nebraska-Kearney (0-2, 0-2 MIAA) Football Page Roster Statistics Schedule Game Notes Athletic Website

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STORY LINES
• This will marks the first meeting between the Griffons and the Lopers since September 5, 1998 when the Griffons defeated the Lopers 26-23 in Kearney, Neb.
• This marks the first televised game for both teams this season. The games is on the MIAA Television Network and kickoff is set for 6:07 pm.
• MWSU is 3-4 in televised games under Partridge and were 2-1 last season which included 2-0 on the MIAA Television Network beating UCM and NWMSU.
• This marks the 10th time under Partridge that the Griffons have opened up the season 2-0.
• The Griffons have opened up the season 3-0 three times under Partridge (2006, 2009, 2010).
• MWSU has only went 3-0 in its first three home games of the season under Partridge three times (2003-2006-2010).
• This marks the 12th time that the Griffons have played the Lopers in St. Joseph. Missouri Western is just 4-7 all-time against the Lopers at home.  
• MWSU and UNK played 19 of its contests back in the CSIC (Central States Intercollegiate Conference) days.
• The first time the two teams met was on October 31, 1970 when the Lopers defeated the Griffons 34-14 in St. Joseph.
• The Griffons first victory in the series came on November 2, 1974 by a score of 9-7 in St. Joseph.
• Coach Partridge is 2-0 against UNK winning in 1997 in St. Joseph, 39-16 and in Kearney in 1998 26-23.
• Missouri Western broke the single game record for yards per rush against William Jewell with 8.8 yard per carry average. The old record was 7.8 which was set on October 22, 2005 vs. Southwest Baptist.
• MWSU is leads the MIAA in rushing yards per game averaging 307 yards per game while the Lopers are sixth in the conference giving up 106.5 yards per game on the ground.
• This marks the first ever television game between the two schools as well as the first meeting between the two coaches.
• Western is coming off a season where they went 9-3 and made their third trip in school history to the NCAA Division II National Playoffs and hosted its first ever playoff game at Spratt Stadium.
• The nine victories tied a school record for most victories in a season. Missouri Western has done it 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 114-62 (.648) in his 16th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 85-48 (.639) against the MIAA.
• Has led the Griffons to three NCAA Playoff
appearances and six Mineral Water bowl appearance.
• Led the Griffons to the 2003  Co-MIAA regular season championship.
• Has recorded six winning seasons in seven years
• Led the Griffons to a school record nine victories in six of his 15 seasons which included last season.
• Is Missouri Western's all-time winningest coach with 114 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks the third meeting with UNK but first since 1998 which was Coach P's second season.
• Played four years at Missouri Western...Played against UNK during his time at MWSU.
• Partridge id 66-22 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).

Nebraska-Kearney head coach Darrell Morris  . . .
• Is 92-41 in his third season as the Loper head coach.
• Second highest winning percentage in Loper lore (69.2), ranks third in wins (92) and has led UNK to four RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) titles and four NCAA Division II playoff berths.
• Was named the 16th head football coach in school history in October of 1999
• He was named RMAC Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2005.
• A native of Tampa, Morris played quarterback at NW Missouri State where he earned a B.A. degree in physical education in 1983.

TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• Missouri Western was 5-1 when leading after the first quarter last season and are 2-0 this season.

September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 35-24 overall and 17-12 in Spratt Stadium. In September against UNK the Griffons are 3-0 with the last four meetings coming in September. MWSU won the only game in September in St. Joseph on September 9, 1997 by a score of 39-16 in the two teams season opener. In non-conference games the Griffons are 17-3 overall and 10-2 at home with its last non-conference home loss coming against Minnesota-Duluth in 2008.

In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 119-63-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...The Griffons are just 4-7 all-time at home against UNK...but are 3-3 since 1979.

Red Zone Success
• • In their first two games of the season Missouri Western is 8-8 with seven touchdowns and a field goal.
• 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.
• 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.

Non-Conference Success Under Partridge
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 21-5 in non-conference games.
• Missouri Western is 4-2 in neutral site games with all six games coming in the Mineral Water Bowl.
• The Griffons are 10-3 in home games in non-conference games which include a loss in the NCAA Playoffs a season ago against Northwest Missouri State.
• Missouri Western is 7-3 in road non-conference games with two of the losses coming in the NCAA Playoffs against Midwestern State in 2006 and Northwest Missouri State in 2010.

Missouri Western at home when ranked since 1989
• When the Griffons are ranked and play at home under coach Partridge they are 14-7.
• The Griffons are 22-17 when they are ranked.
• Missouri Western is 22-15 when ranked under Partridge.

Missouri Western against ranked opponents
Western is 20-36 against DII ranked opponents after defeating 3rd ranked NW Missouri State 31-28 on November 4, 2011 in Spratt Stadium. Under head coach Jerry Partridge the Griffons are 16-29 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.

Missouri Western against ranked opponents at home
The Griffons are 12-14 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents after their victory against Northwest last season. 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.

Missouri 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 going 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 8-0 when they rushed for over 200 yards as a team. This season they are 2-0 as the went for 216 yards in a 38-26 victory over the Central Missouri Mules and for 398 n a 56-0 victory over William Jewell.

When controlling the time of possession
When the Griffons lead in time of possession they are 9-1 since last season. They were 8-1 in 2011 and 1-0 this season controlling the ball for almost 10 more minutes than the Mules. The Griffons had the ball for 34:53 while the Mules had it for just 25:07.

About UNK:
• The Lopers have struggled coming into the MIAA falling to Washburn 24-14 and Emporia State 58-35 in its first two weekends of MIAA play.
• The Lopers have been outscored 82-49 but do have 47 first downs to its opponents 42.
• UNK has averaged 143 yards on the ground and 219 through the air.
• They average 362 yards per game to its opponents 396.
• They are led offensively by Tommy Flanagan as he has rushed the ball 19 times for 84 yards with a long of 13 yards. He has also caught 11 passes for 78 yards.
• Adam Lehner has 133 receiving yards with three touchdowns while Aric Kaiser has thrown for four touchdowns and 351 yards in two games. He has completed 39-of-67 passes with three interceptions.
• On defense Sam Kuck leads the charge with 20 total tackles. He has 10 solo and 10 assisted tackles with 2.5 for loss.

Griffon Football History
Western is 247-203-9 in their 43rd year of Griffon football.

A win for Missoui Western would
Lift the Griffons to 248-203-9 in their football history...be the Griffons seventh victory over the Lopers in the series and fourth straight...lift the Griffons to 7-16 all-time against UNK....improve coach Partridge to 3-0 all-time against the Nebraska-Kearney...cut the Loper lead to 5-7 in the series in St. Joseph...give quarterback Travis Partridge a 1-0 record all-time against UNK...give coach Partridge a 3-0 record for the fourth time in 16 seasons.

A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 246-204-9 in their football history...drop the Griffons to 4-8 all-time at home against UNK and 6-17 overall...be the first win for the UNK in St. Joseph since October 31, 1987 when the Lopers shutout the Griffons 37-0...drop Partridge to 2-1 all-time against UNK...drop Travis Partridge to 0-1 as a starting quarterback against the Lopers.

Series Notes
This marks the 23rd meeting between the two schools. The Lopers hold a 16-6 advantage in the series. Missouri Western beat UNK the last time the met 26-23 in Kearney, Neb. on Saturday, September 5, 1998 in both teams season opener. The Griffons have won the last three meetings in the series. The Lopers lead the series 9-2 in Kearney and 7-4 in St. Joseph. The Griffons longest winning streak in the series is three games from 1996 - 1998. The Griffons are 3-0 all-time when playing the Lopers in September. The Griffons fell in the two teams first ever meeting on October 31, 1970 by  a score of 34-14 in St. Joseph, Mo.

Climbing The Record Books
Griffon senior running back Michael Hill keeps climbing the record book in the rushing category. Hill sits in 2nd all-time with 3,180 yards in his career. He is just the second Griffon all-time to rush for over 3,000 yards. He is second all-time in carries with 659 just 34 behind Thomas Hodges for first. Defensively broke the MWSU record for sacks in a career with 31. He broke the record last week with one sack against William Jewell.  Bass sent a single season record with 20.0 tackles for a loss last season. He broke Eric McDowells mark of 18.5 which was set in 2003. He had 14.5 sacks which was .5 sack behind Eric McDowell's record of 15 set in 2003 and he has 31.0 sacks in his career broke Kinney Redding 30.5 which he set during the stretch of 1974-1977. He is 8.0 tackles for a loss away from tying Michael Cobbins 50 which was set between 2002-2006.

Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 8 in the AFCA preseason top 25 poll. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 10 polls and has received votes in 28 of the last 32 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was listed at No. 5 in the d2football.com preseason media poll. The #5 ranking is the highest ranking for the Griffons.

Up Next
The Griffons will travel to Hays, Kan. on Saturday, September 22 to take on the Fort Hays State Tigers in their first road game of the season. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm from Lewis Field Stadium.