STORY LINES
• The Griffons are in their 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970.
• This marks the 36th meeting and 18th meeting in St. Joseph with the last coming in 2010 when the Griffons won 42-14 on October 30.
• The Griffons opened up 2013, 7-0 which has only been done one other time in school history which was in 1981 when they also went 7-0. The 6-0 start in MIAA play is the best MIAA start in history.
• The Griffons have controlled the series with ESU the last few years winning the last eight meetings which includes the last three in St. Joseph. They have won five of those eight meetings in Emporia.
• For the second straight year the Griffons are ranked 12th going into the contest with the Hornets. The Hornets are undefeated for the second straight season when facing the Griffons as they were 8-0 and ranked 15th last year.
• Currently the Griffons 10 of 11 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. They 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 23 MIAA games.
• The Hornets lead the nation in total offense at 584.4 yards per game and are ranked in the top five nationally in turnover margin, passing efficiency, scoring, and passing offense. Brent Wilson is ranked in the top five nationally in total offense, passing efficiency and points responsible for. Defensively the Hornets are third in the MIAA in rushing defense and give up 6.2 yards per pass attempt to rank second in the league.
• The Griffons lead the nation in turnover margin.
Raphael Spencer is leading the MIAA in rushing at 120.9 yards per game.
Travis Partridge was first-team All-MIAA at quarterback last season.
• Coach Partridge is 11-5 overall against the Hornets but was just 3-5 in their first eight meetings. He has won eight straight against the Hornets. He is 4-3 at home and 7-2 on the road against the Hornets.
• Individually
Josh Walker leads the league in kick return average at 24.3 yards per return...
Nick Williams is tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries with three.
• Missouri Western climbed all the way up to 4th in the AFCA and D2football.com poll this season. The #4 ranking in the AFCA is the highest in school history.
• 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 131-65 (.669) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 98-50 (.662) 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 11-5 all time against Emporia State.
• Played four years at Missouri Western (82-85).
• MIAA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012.
• Partridge is 73-24 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
• This marks the seventh meeting between Partridge and Higgins.
• He led the Griffons to a tie for the best start in school history at 7-0 (2013, 1981).
Emporia State head coach Garin Higgins. . .
• Garin Higgins has compiled a career record of 87-46 as he is in his 12th season as a head coach.
• He has led the Hornets to within just one game of a post season berth each of the last three seasons.
• He is 36-37 in his seventh season at his alma mater.
• He had a 51-9 career record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma, including two trips to the national championship game.
• Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State from 1987-90 and was on the 1989 national runners-up team. He is 0-6 against MWSU.
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 1-1 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 52-23 overall, 26-10 in Spratt Stadium and 26-13 on the road.
Playing in November
The Griffons are 25-12 in November under coach Partridge...MWSU is 16-4 at home and 9-8 on the road...two of the road losses came in the Division II playoffs...they were 4-0 last season in November with two wins coming in the NCAA Division II Playoffs...the Griffons are 2-0 in November against the Hornets...The won 27-7 on November 4, 1999 in Emporia and 28-27 on November 4, 2000 in St. Joseph, Mo.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 126-65-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...MWSU was 6-1 last season...Partridge is 67-23 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 eight games this season the Griffons are 34-of-37 in the redzone with 31 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. Last week against Pittsburg State they were just 1-1.
• 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 November 2
• The Griffons have played well on November 2 goinog 3-1 all-time.
• The Griffons are 2-0 at home and 1-1 on the road.
• The Griffons are 1-0 under coach Partridge defeating Missouri Southern in 2002 28-7 in St. Joseph, Mo.
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 21-9.
• When on the road the Griffons are 18-9.
• The Griffons are 40-20 when they are ranked since 1989.
• Missouri Western is 39-18 when ranked under Partridge.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents
MWSU is 26-38 against DII ranked opponents after going 6-1 last season against ranked opponents. The Griffons are 0-1 this season after falling 34-14 against #12 Pittsburg State. In 2012 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 14-15 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents. The Griffons fell 34-14 against #12 Pittsburg State and in 2012 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 ESU when either team is ranked
• Since 1990 the Griffons and the Hornets have played five games in which one of or both teams have been ranked.
• The Griffons are 0-2 against the Hornets when ESU is the only team ranked. They are 0-1 at home and 0-1 on the road.
• The Griffons are 2-0 when they are the only team ranked.The won last season in 2009 and in 2006.
• When both teams have been ranked the Griffons are 1-0 against the Hornets with the lone victory coming last season 57-28.
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 26.3 yards per kickoff return and 12.5 yards per punt return.
Dominic Thomas is averaging 30.3 while
Josh Walker is averaging 24.6 yards per return. In punt returns
Josh Walker is averaging 7.8 yards per return while
Derek Libby is averaging 21.2.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 264-206-9 in their 44th year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 265-206-9 in their football history....be the ninth straight victory over the Hornets...lift the Griffons to 25-11 against ESU..improve coach Partridge to 12-5 all-time against the Hornets....lift the Griffons to 12-6 in St. Joseph and fourth straight in St. Joe...improve
Travis Partridge to 3-0 against ESU and 1-0 in St. Joseph.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 264-207-9 in their football history...snap a eight game winning streak against ESU...snap a three game winning streak in St. Joseph...drop Partridge to 11-6 all-time against ESU...drop
Travis Partridge to 2-1 agiainst ESU...give the Griffons their second loss this season...drop the Griffons to 11-7 in St. Joseph against the Hornets.
Series Notes
This marks the 36th meeting between the two schools. The Griffons hold the 24-11 advantage in the series. The Griffons have won 11 of 17 in St. Joseph and 13 of 18 in Emporia. The Griffons have won the last eight games which includes a 57-28 victory last season in Emporia on October 25, 2012. The Hornets longest winning streak in the series had been 4 while the Griffons longest streak was 10 games. The largest margin of victory for the Griffons came in 1978 when they defeated ESU 49-17 in St. Joseph. The largest margin of victory for the Hornets was in 1986 when they defeated the Griffons 32-0 in St. Joseph. Coach Partridge is 11-5 all time against the Hornets and is 7-2 in Emporia and 4-3 in St. Joseph. This marks the seventh meeting between Partridge and coach Garrin Higgins.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 12 in the AFCA top 25 poll after falling 34-14 against Pittsburg State. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 28 polls and has received votes in 48 of the last 49 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was ranked 13th 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 string of games against top-25 opponents on Saturday, November 9 when they travel to Topeka, Kan. to take on the 8th ranked Washburn Ichabods at 1:00 pm from Yager Stadium.
