Kickoff
The No. 14-ranked Missouri Western Griffons will play host to the William Jewell Cardinals at 6 p.m. on September 8 in Spratt Stadium. This marks the first meeting between the two schools since September 8, 1984. This also marks the only non-conference game for the Griffons this season.
STORY LINES
• This will mark the first meeting between the Griffons and the Cardinals since September 8, 1984 when the two teams tied 22-22 in St. Joseph, Mo.
• The Griffons have opened up the season 2-0 nine times under Coach Partridge with the last time being n 2010 when they defeated Mesa State 36-3 and Lincoln 81-14.
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 27-11 all-time in games that are not MIAA games. MWSU is 14-4 at home, 9-5 on the road and 4-2 on a neutral field.
• This marks the fourth time that the Griffons have played the Cardinals in St. Joseph. Missouri Western is 2-0-1 all-time at home against the Cardinals.
• The first time they met was on October 5, 1974 in Liberty, Mo. WJC won 35-13.
• The Griffons first victory in St. Joseph against the Cardinals was on October 4, 1975 by a score of 50-30.
• This marks the second consecutive time that the Cardinals and the Griffons will meet in St. Joseph, Mo.
• The Cardinals only two victories in the series came in Liberty by scores of 8-7 on September 10, 1983 and 35-13 in the first ever meeting.
• Griffon head coach
Jerry Partridge played on the last Missouri Western team to play against
William Jewell in 1984.
• Last season the Cardinals were 4-6. They fell to MIAA opponents Pittsburg State (49-7) and Southwest Baptist (35-0) a season ago.
• 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 113-62 (.646) 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 113 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks the first meeting with William Jewell since he became MWSU's coach.
• Played four years at Missouri Western...was on the last team that played William Jewell in 1984.
William Jewell head coach Jerod Kruse . . .
• Is 8-14 entering his 3rd season as the Cardinals head coach.
• Led the Cardinals to three straight victories to end the 2011 season.
• His defense averaged three takeaways per game in 2011.
• A 2000 graduate of Emporia State University...earned his masters from Emporia State in 2007.
• Prior to William Jewell he was a defensive secondary coach at Baker University (Kan.).
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• Missouri Western was 5-1 when leading after the first quarter last season and are 1-0 this season.
September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 34-24 overall and 16-12 in Spratt Stadium. In non-conference games the Griffons are 16-3 overall and 9-2 at home with its last non-conference home loss coming against Minnesota-Duluth in 2008.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 118-63-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...Partridge is 65-22 at home since 1997. He went 5-2 in 2011 and 6-0 in 2010.
Red Zone Success
• 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.
• In their first game of the season Missouri Western went a perfect 5-5 with four touchdowns and a field goal.
Non-Conference Success Under Partridge
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 20-5 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 9-3 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 13-7.
• The Griffons are 21-17 when they are ranked.
• Missouri Western is 21-15 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 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.
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 1-0 as the went for 216 yards in a 38-26 victory over the Central Missouri Mules.
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.
INDIVIDUAL NOTEBOOK
Running Down Hill
• Senior running back
Michael Hill leads the MIAA in 2011 averaging 108.8 yards rushing per game...this season after one game he leads the with 169 yards which is 41 yards better than Northeastern Stats Terrance Dixon.
• Hill ranks 8th after one week in the NCAA statistics ranks.
• All-MIAA first team selection in 2011
• Started all 12 games last season
• Is 427 yards away from breaking the school record for rushing yards in a career which is 3,396 and is held by Tony Williams. Hill has 2,970.
• He is 49 carries away from breaking the school record for most carries in a career. Thomas Hodges holds the career record of 693 while Hill has 645.
• 2011 Awards: MIAA Offensive Player of the
Week on October 31, 2011...First Team All-MIAA...Second Team Daktronics Super Region Four...Second Team Don Hansen Super Region Four...Honorable Mention Don Hansen all-American...Honorable Mention Beyond Sports
Network all-American.
Sack Machine
• Bass had one sack in his first game this past season. He is .5 sacks away from tying the career record of 30.5 which is held by Kinney Redding.
• Last season he led the MIAA with 14.5 sacks which was a half a sack short of tying the MWSU single season record.
• He set the record for most tackles for a loss in a season with 20. The previous record was 18.5 set by Eric
McDowell.
• Was fourth in the nation averaging 1.21 sacks per game.
• Had two games in which he tied a single game record for most sacks with four twice. He did it against Central
Missouri and Southwest Baptist last season.
• Has started all 37 games since his redshirt freshman season.
• 2011 Award List...Don Hansen Football Gazette
First Team All-American...BSN First Team All-American...All-MIAA First Team Selection...Daktronics All-American...AP Little All-American Second Team...D2Football.com All-America...First Team Daktronics First Team All-
Region...First Team All-MIAA defensive end...2-time MIAA Defensive Player of the Week...Once named D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week...Don Hanson First Team All-Super Region Four.
The Leg from Down Under
• Junior punter
Scott Groner from Australia was a pleasant surprise in 2011 being name to the honorable mention All-MIAA squad.
• So far this season he has punted the ball 5 times for 222 yards which is an average of 44.4 yards per kick which puts him in 11th in the nation and second in the MIAA.
• The Griffons are 13th in net punting averaging 42.2 which is also second in the MIAA.
• In 2011 he punted the ball 50 times for 2,193 yards...broke the single season record for yards per punt at 43.9...had a long of 80 yards...had 13 go for 50 or more yards and 17 inside the 20.
• Don Hansen second team all-American...honorable mention all-American by Beyond Sports College Network...second team all-Region by Don Hansen...Beyond Sports College Network Punter of the Week on November 23.
The Anchor
• Senior offensive lineman
Macon Allan has stared all 37 games at right tackle since his redshirt freshman season.
• After one game the Griffons are 31st in the nation in rushing average and second in the MIAA. they are averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
• In 2011 he was a First Team all-MIAA...Second Team Don Hansen Super Region Four...Honorable Mention Don Hansen All-American
2012 Preseason Honors
David Bass
• Named to the 2012 Senior Bowl Watch List
• 2012 “D2 vs NAIA Senior Bowl” Preseason All-American
• USA Football News Division II Pre-Season All-American
• First team All-America by Lindy's Magazine
• First team All-American by Beyond Sports Network
Macon Allan
• 2012 “D2 vs NAIA Senior Bowl” Preseason All-American
• Third Team USA Football News Division II Pre-Season All-American
• First team All-America by Lindy's Magazine
• Second team All-American by Beyond Sports Network
Scott Groner
• First team All-American by Beyond Sports Network
• Honorable Mention All-American by Beyond Sports Network
Shane Simpson
• Honorable Mention All-American by Beyond Sports Network
About WJC:
• Did not have any trouble gaining yards in its season opener against Colorado School of Mines last weekend. The Cardinals had 479 yards of total offense with 194 coming on the ground and 285 through the air.
• Is coming to St. Joseph for the first time since 1984 when they tied the Griffons at 22
• On the ground the Cardinals are led by Glen Whitney as he rushed the ball eight times for 112 yards with a long of 47. Quarterback Sean Shelton is second on the team with 51 yards on 12 carries with a long of 22.
• Shelton completed 21-of-32 passes with one interception and one touchdown. He threw for 261 yards with a long of 70.
• Scott Buffa caught four passes for 86 yards and touchdown while Jon Molzen caught three passes for 88 yards.
•The Cardinals struggled defensively giving up 690 yards of total offense which included 245 on the ground and 445 threw the air.
• Defensively the Cardinals were led by Thomas Swoboda and Jason Bissonnette as they both had seven tackles. Swoboda finished with one tackle for a loss.
Griffon Football History
Western is 246-203-9 in their 43rd year of Griffon football.
A win for Missoui Western would
Lift the Griffons to 247-203-9 in their football history...be the Griffons fourth victory over the Cardinals in the series...lift the Griffons to 4-2-1 all-time against WJC....improve coach Partridge to 1-0 all-time against the Cardinals...give Western a 3-0-1 lead in the series at home...give quarterback
Travis Partridge a 1-0 record all-time against William Jewell...give coach Partridge a 2-0 record for the tenth time in 16 seasons.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 246-203-9 in their football history...tie the all-time series 3-3-1...be the first win for the Cardinals in St. Joseph...drop Partridge to 0-1 all-time against WJC...drop
Travis Partridge to 0-1 as a starting quarterback against the Cardinals.
Series Notes
This marks the 7th meeting between the two schools. The Griffons hold a 3-2-1 advantage in the series. Missouri Western and William Jewell tied the last time they met in 1984 on September 8 by a score of 22 in St. Joseph, Mo. The Cardinials lead the series 2-1 in Liberty, Mo. while the Griffons hold a 2-0-1 lead in St. Joseph. The Griffons longest winning streak in the series is three games from 1975 - 1979. The Griffons are 0-1-1 all-time when playing the Cardinals in September. The Griffons fell on September 10, 1983 by a score of 8-7 in Liberty and tied 22 on September 8, 1984.
Climbing The Record Books
Griffon senior running back
Michael Hill keeps climbing the record book in the rushing category. Hill sits in 4th all-time with 2,970 yards in his career. He is 4 yards out of third and 427 yards out of first. He is second all-time in carries with 645 just 48 behind Thomas Hodges for first. Defensively
David Bass is climbing the record books as well. 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 30.0 sacks in his career which is .5 behind Kinney Redding 30.5 which he set during the stretch of 1974-1977. He is 9.0 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. 14 in the AFCA preseason top 25 poll. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 9 polls and has received votes in 27 of the last 31 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was listed at No. 7 in the d2football.com preseason media poll. The #7 ranking is the highest ranking for the Griffons.
Up Next
Missouri Western will host MIAA newcomer Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 15 in an MIAA game at 6:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo. The game will be televised on the MIAA Television Network. It will also be Military Appreciation Day as well as Family Day on the campus of MWSU. The Griffons will then 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.
