STORY LINES
• The Griffons are in their 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970.
• This marks the 38th meeting and 19th meeting in St. Joseph with the last coming in 2011 when the Griffons fell 34-7 on September 1.
• This marks the 1st time under Partridge that the Griffons have opened up the season 7-0.
• The Griffons have never opened up a season 8-0.
• This marks the first time under Partridge that MWSU has went 6-0 in MIAA play to start the season.
• The Griffons have went 7-0 to start the season
one other time school history which was in 1981 when they also went 7-0. This does mark the best start in MIAA play.
• The Griffons are ranked 4th in the AFCA Coaches poll which ties the highest ranking ever for the Griffons.
• Currently the Griffons have won 10 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 21 of their last 22 MIAA games.
• The Gorillas are coming off a 24-15 defeat in the 12th annual Fall Classic against #2 Northwest Missouri State in Arrowhead Stadium.
• Coach Partridge is 7-9 against PSU but has had success as of late winning five of the last seven. During that run he is just 2-2 in St. Joseph and 3-0 in Pittsburg.
• The first time the two teams met was on September 19, 1970 when the Griffons fell 63-14 against the Gorillas in St. Joseph, Mo.
• The Griffon offense has been lighting up the scoreboard as of late averaging 46.3 points per game which is third in the MIAA behind Emporia State (49.0) and Washburn (47.3). The Griffons are averaging 442.2 total yards and 235.3 yards on the ground. The Griffons lead the league in kickoff return average at 27.2 and are second in punt return average at 12.5.
• Individually punter
Scott Groner is second in the MIAA with a 42.3 yards per punt average. He has punted 34 times for 1439 yards with a long of 61.
Raphael Spencer leads the league in rushing averaging 123.7 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 131-64 (.672) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 98-49 (.669) 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 131 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks the 17th meeting with MWSU...Coach Partridge is 7-9 all time against Pittsburg State.
• 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 fourth meeting between Partridge and Beck.
• He has led the Griffons to a tie for the best start in school history at 7-0.
Pittsburg State head coach Tim Beck. . .
• Tim Beck enters his fourth season as Pittsburg State University's head football coach and his 26th year on the Gorillas' staff.
• Beck led Pitt State to the school's fourth all-time national championship and a 13-1 record in his second season leading the Gorillas. He earned NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year honors from Liberty Mutual, the Don Hansen Football Committee and FieldTurf™, as well as MIAA Coach of the Year accolades.
• Beck served for 16 years as the Gorillas' offensive coordinator and 22 seasons as a member of the Pitt State coaching staff before becoming his alma mater's 14th Head Football Coach at a press conference on Dec. 9, 2009.
• Beck, a member of the American Football Coaches Association, has been a frequently-requested guest speaker at several national and regional coaching clinics as well as regional and local civic events.
• Beck was a two-year football letterman at Pittsburg State, playing defensive back for the Gorillas from 1985-86. He earned All-CSIC honors both seasons and was an NAIA All-District 10 pick as a senior. Beck also was a team captain in 1986.
• Beck, a Ness City, Kan., native, played football at Dodge City Community College for two years before joining the Gorilla program. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from PSU in 1988 and a master's degree in physical education from PSU in the summer of 1989.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• In the last two seasons the Griffons are 21-2 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 5-0 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 52-22 overall, 26-9 in Spratt Stadium and 26-13 on the road...This marks the 10th meeting between the two schools in October. The Griffons are just 3-6 all-time when playing the Gorillas in October. The Griffons are 1-4 at home and 2-2 at home. Under Partridge the Griffons at 0-1 at home and 1-1 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 seven games this season the Griffons are 33-of-35 in the redzone with 30 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. Against UCO the Griffons were 8-for-8 in the redzone with all of them being touchdowsn. On homecoming against Northeastern State the Griffons were 5-6 while against Missouri Southern they were 4-4 with three touchdowns.
• 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 26
• The Griffons have struggled on October 26 as they are 1-5.
• The Griffons are 0-3 at home and 1-2 on the road.
• The Griffons are 1-0 under coach Partridge defeating Washburn in 2002 34-28 in Topeka, Kan.
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 18-9.
• The Griffons are 40-19 when they are ranked since 1989.
• Missouri Western is 39-17 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 against PSU when either team is ranked
• Since 1990 the Griffons and the Gorillas have played 19 game in which one of or both teams have been ranked.
• The Griffons are 3-9 against the Gorillas when they are the only team ranked. They are 2-6 at home and 1-3 on the road. The Griffons are 0-2 when PSU is ranked #1.
• The Griffons are 2-0 when they are the only team ranked. Both games were at home on September 25, 2010 #8 (42-25) and and September 30, 2000 #9 (17-7).
• When both teams have been ranked the Griffons are 2-3 against the Gorillas with all five games being plaing in Pittsburg, Kan.
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 27.2 yards per kickoff return and 12.5 yards per punt return.
Dominic Thomas is averaging 31.7 while
Josh Walker is averaging 25.1 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 866 yards and 9 touchdowns. He is averaging 7.3 yards per carry and 123.7 yards per game. He ranks first in the MIAA and 16th in Division II.
Flipping the Field
Junior punter
Scott Groner has been outstanding in the first seven weeks being second in the MIAA and 19th in NCAA Division II averaging 42.3 yards per kick. He has punted 34 times for 1493 yards. He has had 9 land inside the 20 with 7 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 57 times with 12 going for touchbacks. He has also converted on 40-of-42 extra points which included going 38-for-39 in his last four 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. He booted two big field goals against Missouri Southern. They were 22 and 41 yards. He is 6-for-8 in field goal opportunities.
Spreading it Around
Fourteen different receivers have caught passes this season from Griffons quarterbacks with seven of them catching a touchdown pass. Against MSSU seven different receivers caught passes with three catching TD's. 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 five touchdowns with 24 catches for 259 yards.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 264-205-9 in their 44th year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 265-205-9 in their football history....be the sixth win in eight years...lift the Griffons to 12-27 against PSU..improve coach Partridge to 8-9 all-time against the Gorillas....lift the Griffons to 7-13 in Pittsburg...give quarterback
Travis Partridge his second victory over the Gorillas...lift MWSU to 8-0 for the first time under Partridge and give them a 8-0 start for the first time in school history...give the Griffons a 11 game winning streak in MIAA games...give the Griffons their 2nd victory in last 23 MIAA games.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 264-206-9 in their football history...put Pittsburg State up 28-11 alltime in the series...drop coach Partridge to 7-10 all-time against the Gorillas...drop the Griffons to 6-14 in St. Joseph...drop Partridge to 4-5 in St. Joseph against the Gorillas...Drop Partridge to a 52-23 record in October...snap MWSU's 10 game MIAA winning streak.
Series Notes
This marks the 39th meeting between the two schools. The Gorillas hold the 27-11 advantage in the series. Pittsburg State has won 13 of the 19 meetings in St. Joseph. The Griffons have won five of the last seven games which includes a 42-25 victory on September 25, 2010 in St. Joseph and 63-14 victory last season in Pittsburg. The Gorillas longest winning streak in the series had been 11 while the Griffons have had a two game winning streak three times. The largest margin of victory for the Griffons came in 2012 when they defeated PSU 63-14 in Pittsburg. The largest margin of victory for the Gorillas was in 1970 when they defeated the Griffons 63-14 in St. Joseph. Coach Partridge is 7-9 all time against the Gorillas and is 4-4 in St. Joseph, Mo and 3-5 in Pittsburg with the three road wins coming the last three times in Pittsburg. This marks the fourth meeting between Partridge and coach Tim Beck. MWSU Western has scored 30 or more points against the Gorillas in seven of the last eight seasons.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 4 for the second straight week in the AFCA top 25 poll which is the highest AFCA ranking in school history. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 27 polls and has received votes in 47 of the last 48 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 continue their their games against top-25 opponents on Saturday, November 2 when they take on the 17th ranked Emporia State Hornets at 1:30 pm from Spratt Stadium. It will be Youth Day.
