STORY LINES
• The Griffons are in their 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970.
• This marks the 22nd meeting in Joplin with the last coming in 2011 when the Griffons won 35-23 on October 1.
• This marks the 2nd time under Partridge that the Griffons have opened up the season 6-0 (2012).
• The Griffons have never opened up a season 7-0 under Partridge.
• This marks the second time under Partridge that MWSU has went 5-0 in MIAA play to start the season (2012).
• The Griffons have went 6-0 or better to start the season
4 different times in school history. The best start in history was in 1981 when they opened up 7-0.
• The Griffons are ranked 4th in the AFCA Coaches poll which ties the highest ranking ever for the Griffons.
• Currently the Griffons have won nine straight MIAA games dating back to the 2012 season...they won 12 straight ending the 2011 season and opening up the 2012 season 5-0 in MIAA play. The won seven straight MIAA game ending the 2011 season which is the most in a row in a season. They have won 20 of their last 21 MIAA games.
• The Lions are coming off a 45-20 victory on the road against South Dakota School of Mines last week in Rapid City, S.D.
• Coach Partridge is 10-6 against MSSU but has struggled since 2009 going just 1-3 with the lone victory coming on the road.
• The first time the two teams met was on November 7, 1970 when the Griffons fell 63-18 against the Lions in Joplin, Mo.
• The Griffon offense has been lighting up the scoreboard as of late averaging 48.2 points per game which is third in the MIAA behind Emporia State (48.5) and Washburn (48.3). The Griffons are averaging 460.7 total yards and 260.0 yards on the ground. The Griffons lead the league in kickoff return average at 28.8 and are third in punt return average at 12.5.
• Individually punter
Scott Groner is fourth in the MIAA with a 43.2 yards per punt average. He has punted 30 times for 1295 yards with a long of 61.
Raphael Spencer leads the league in rushing averaging 131.5 yards per game.
• Missouri Western is coming off their best season in school history where they posted a 12-2 record which was the most wins ever in a season. They also made their fourth trip in school history to the NCAA Division II National where they went to the quarterfinals. The Griffons hosted a home playoff game for the second consecutive season and won their first ever playoff game against Minnesota-Duluth by a score of 57-55 in triple overtime on November 17, 2012. They followed that up by winning their first ever road playoff game by a score of 45-21 against #6 Henderson State on November 24, 2012 in Arkadelphia, Ark.
• The 12 victories was the most in a season and was the seventh time in the last 10 years that they had at least victories in a season. (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 & 2012).
• The Griffons were voted 1st in the 2013 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and 2nd in the MIAA Media Poll.
COACHES
MWSU head football coach Jerry Partridge. . .
• Named the sixth head coach of the Griffon football program in 1997
• Is 130-64 (.670) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 98-49 (.667) against the MIAA.
• 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.
• Led the Griffons to a school record 12 victories this season and to nine victories or more in eight of his 16 seasons.
• Is Missouri Western's all-time winningest coach with 130 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks the 17th meeting with MWSU...Coach Partridge is 5-3 all time in Joplin.
• Played four years at Missouri Western (82-85).
• MIAA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012.
• Partridge is 73-23 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
• This marks the second meeting between Partridge and Daye.
Missouri Southern head coach Daryl Daye. . .
• Daryl Daye is in his second season at Southern after serving two seasons with the NFL's Buffalo Bills as Assistant to the Head Coach. He assisted Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt in coaching the inside linebackers and also helped to coach the special teams units. He was responsible for assisting head coach Chan Gailey in the team's day-to-day administrative operation as well as numerous travel and training camp duties.
• Prior to his stint with the Bills, Daye served for four
years with the Lions as the team's defensive coordinator. In 2008, the Lions once again led the MIAA in pass defense.
• The Lions held opponents to 172 passing yards per game and recorded 58 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks and recovered all 15 fumbles the team forced.
• The 2007 MSSU defense helped the Lions to their first winning season in 12 years. The defense led the MIAA in total defense for the 1st time in school history and also led the MIAA pass defense, opponents' first downs, passing efficiency and were ranked second in Opponents third and fourth down conversions. The Lions' defense was ranked 21st nationally in total defense and also broke a 17 year old division II school record with 21 interceptions. Coach Daye's defenses have now forced a total of 113 turnovers
in 4 years.
• Prior to Southern, Daye worked as special teams coach for the Southern University and also served as head coach at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, La., from 1999-2003, and as an assistant at Liberty, LSU and Southern Miss.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• In the last two seasons the Griffons are 20-2 when leading after the first quarter. Last season the Griffons were 11-1 when leading after the first quarter...This season they are 1-0 when trailing, 1-0 when tied and 4-0 when leading after the first quarter.
September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 42-24 overall and 21-12 in Spratt Stadium and 21-12 on the road. The Griffons went 4-0 last seaosn and this season in September. They are a perfect 8-0 in the last two years.
Outstanding October
• In the month of October under Partridge the Griffons are 51-22 overall, 26-9 in Spratt Stadium and 25-13 on the road...This marks the 29th meeting between the two schools in October where lost last season. The Griffons are 9-6 at home and 5-8 on the road against the Lions in October. The Griffons are 6-2 at home under Partridge and 4-2 on the road.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 126-64-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...MWSU was 6-1 last season...Partridge is 67-22 at home since 1997.
Red Zone Success
• In their 14 games last season Missouri Western was 61-68 with 53 touchdowns and eight field goals when in the red zone...In their first six games this season the Griffons are 29-of-31 in the redzone with 27 touchdowns. They were 2-of-3 against Central Missouri and 3-for-3 against Missouri S&T in red zone opportunities. The Griffons were 5-for-5 against Nebraska-Kearney with four touchdowns and one field goal. Against Fort Hays State the Griffons converted on 6-of-7 red zone opportunities with all six being touchdowns. Two weeks ago against UCO the Griffons were 8-for-8 in the redzone with all of them being touchdowsn. Last week the Griffons were 5-6 with four touchdowns and a field goal.
• 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.
Playing on October 19
• The Griffons have played pretty good on October 19 holding an all-time record of 3-2.
• The Griffons are 1-0 in the Partridge era winning in St. Joseph against Southwest Baptist 28-0 in 2002.
• The Griffons are 2-2 on the road and 1-0 at home. They are 1-1 in MIAA play with the only victory coming in 2002 against SBU.
Rushing Attack
• The Griffons went for over 300 yards against against Northeastern rushing for 311.
Raphael Spencer went for 115 and two touchdowns. The Griffons rushed for six TD's.
• The Griffon rushing attack continued to rack up the yards going for 319 yards against UCO.
Raphael Spencer rushed for 221 yards while
Travis Partridge plunged in for four touchdowns.
•They Griffons went for 240 yards against Fort Hays State.
Raphael Spencer,
Dominic Thomas and
Dalton Krysa all had rushing touchdowns in the game.
• Against Nebraska-Kearney the Griffons rushed for 210 yards.
Raphael Spencer had a career day with 171 yards on 27 carries.
• The Griffons had two players rush for over 100 yards against the Miners of Missouri S&T.
Raphael Spencer rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns while
Tra Brown rushed for 109 and a touchdown.
• The last time two Griffons ran for over 100 yards was on November 12, 2011 when
Michael Hill ran for 182 yards and
Travis Partridge rushed for 105.
Non-Conference Success Under Partridge
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 31-11 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 17-3 in home games in non-conference games which includes a victory in the playoffs last season against Minnesota-Duluth and this years victory against Missouri S&T.
• Missouri Western is 10-6 in road non-conference games with three of the losses coming in the NCAA Playoffs against Midwestern State in 2006, Northwest Missouri State in 2010 and Minnesota State in 2012.
Success when going over 200 yards rushing
When the Griffons rush for over 200 yards in a game they are almost perfect. The Griffons are 5-0 this year when racking up over 200 yards on the ground. They had over 300 against NSU, UCO & Missouri S&T, 210 against Nebraska-Kearney and 240 against Fort Hays State. Last season the Griffons were 11-1 when rushing for over 200 yards as a team with their lone loss coming against Missouri Southern. In 2011 the Griffons were a perfect 8-0 when going over 200 yards on the ground.
Missouri Western when ranked since 1989
• When the Griffons are ranked and play at home under coach Partridge they are 21-8.
• When on the road the Griffons are 17-9.
• The Griffons are 39-19 when they are ranked since 1989.
• Missouri Western is 38-17 when ranked under Partridge.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents
MWSU is 26-37 against DII ranked opponents after going 6-1 last season against ranked opponents. The Griffons only loss against a ranked opponents was against #5 Minnesota State. The Griffons defeated #7 Pittsburg State, #15 Emporia State, #25 Washburn, #4 Northwest Missouri State, #7 Minnesota-Duluth and #6 Henderson State. All those games were consecutive.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents at home
The Griffons are 14-14 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents. Last season the Griffons defeated #25 Washburn and #7 Minnesota-Duluth at home.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents on the road Under Partridge
Missouri Western is 8-16 under coach Partridge on the road against ranked opponents after going 4-1 last year. The Griffons defeated #7 Pittsburg State and #15 Emporia State in back to back weeks on the road and then won the MIAA Title in Maryville against #4 NW Missouri State before defeating #6 Henderson State on the road in the NCAA II Playoffs.
Griffons in TV Games Under Partridge
Western is 7-4 under Partridge after their victory over Central Missouri last Thursday which was aired on the MIAA Broadcasting Network. Last season the Griffons went 3-0 in televised games. The Griffons defeated Nebraska-Kearney, Emporia State and NW Missouri State in televised games. Missouri Western went 2-1 in 2011 in televised games beating UCM and NWMSU and losing to Washburn. 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. MWSU 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. Missouri Western is 0-1 in nationally televised games falling to Washburn in 2011.
Double Numbers
For the rest of the season two Griffons will have two seperate numbers. Sophomore Chris Kottwitz will wear 68 or 82 depending on if he is playing offensive line or tight end while long snapper
Cameron Glenn will be wearing 51 at home and 48 on the road.
Return Game
The Griffons return game has been outstanding this season. They are averaging 28.8 yards per kickoff return and 12.5 yards per punt return.
Dominic Thomas is averaging 31.7 while
Josh Walker is averaging 27.5 yards per return. In punt returns
Josh Walker is averaging 7.8 yards per return while
Derek Libby is averaging 21.2.
Spencer Stepping Up
Redshirt sophomore
Raphael Spencer stepped right into the starting running back role for the Griffons. Spencer has rushed for 789 yards and 8 touchdowns. He is averaging 8.0 yards per carry and 131.5 yards per game. He ranks first in the MIAA and 11th in Division II.
Flipping the Field
Junior punter
Scott Groner has been outstanding in the first five weeks being fourth in the MIAA averaging 43.2 yards per kick. He has punted 30 times for 1295 yards. He has had 9 land inside the 20 with 6 going for more than 50 yards. His season long is 61 yards which was against Kearney.
Kicking Record
Taylor Anderson has made 80 extra points in a row with 74 coming last season which is an MWSU single season and consecutive record. His 74 consecutive extra points in a season is also an MIAA record. The record for career is 123 in the MIAA. He may be done for the season but senior
John Schmiemeier has been solid. He has kicked off 50 times with 11 going for touchbacks. He has also converted on 37-of-39 extra points which included going 35-for-36 in his last three games. He also made a 33 yard field goal against UNK and 39 yarder against FHSU. He made a career long 54 yards field goal in the Griffons win against NSU.
Spreading it Around
Fourteen different receivers have caught passes this season from Griffons quarterbacks with seven of them catching a touchdown pass. Against Central Oklahoma seven different Griffons caught passes while against Northeastern State nine different players had a catch. Against Fort Hays State the Griffons had 7 different receivers catch a pass. Sophomore
Stephon Weaver leads the charge with four touchdowns with 19 catches for 205 yards.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 263-205-9 in their 44th year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 264-205-9 in their football history....lift Western to 21-23 all-time against Missouri Southern..lift coach Partridge to 131-62 in his career...lift Travis 2-1 against the Lions...lift coach Partridge to 5-3 in Joplin and lift MWSU to 10-13 in St. Joseph....lift Partridge to 11-6 against the Lions...lift MWSU to 7-0 for the first time under Partridge and give them a 7-0 start for the first time since 1981. ...give the Griffons a 10 game winning streak in MIAA games...give the Griffons their 21st victory in last 22 MIAA games.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 263-206-9 in their football history...drop Partridge to 10-7 against the MWSU...drop Missouri Western to 20-24 all-time against the Lions...drop Missouri Western to 9-14 against MWSU in Joplin, Mo...drop
Travis Partridge to 1-2 against MSSU...Drop Partridge to a 51-23 record in October and 25-14 on the road ...snap MWSU's nine game MIAA winning streak.
Series Notes
This marks the 44th meeting between the two schools. The Lions hold a 23-20 advantage in the series. MWSU has won the five of the last eight meetings. The Griffons trail the series in Joplin 13-9 but lead the series in St. Joseph 11-10. The longest winning streak for the Griffons has been five games from 1999-2003. The Lions have won just four games in the series since 1999 with one coming in 2004 and the others coming in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The Griffons trail the series when played in October 14-11 and trail 7-5 when played in October in Joplin. The Griffons are 6-7 at home in October. Coach Partridge is 10-6 all time against the Lions. Coach Partridge is 5-3 in Joplin and 5-3 in St. Joseph. The Griffons have scored 20 or more points in 11 of the last 13 meetings.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 4 in the AFCA top 25 poll which is the highest AFCA ranking in school history. The Griffons were ranked 4th last season in the AFCA when they played MSSU. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 26 polls and has received votes in 46 of the last 47 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was ranked 4th in the latest d2football.com poll. The #3 ranking the Griffons has last season at this time is the highest ranking for the Griffons. The #4 ranking was the highest by the AFCA.
Dominic Thomas Named MIAA and Beyond Sports Network Special Teams Player of the Week
Missouri Western running back
Dominic Thomas has been named MIAA Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time in his career for his performance last week in the Griffons 52-21 victory over the Fort Hays State Tigers. For his efforts he was also named Beyond Sports Network's Special Teams Player of the Week.
Raphael Spencer Named Beyond Sports Network Running Back Player of the Week
Spencer had a career night rushing for 221 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 9.2 yards per carry with a long of 48 yards.
Up Next
The Griffons return home for Military Appreciation Day when they take on the 7th ranked Pittsburg State Gorillas on Saturday, October 26. Game time is set for 1:30 pm from Spratt Stadium in St. Joseph, Mo.
