STORY LINES
• The Griffons are in their 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970.
• This marks the 35th meeting and 17th meeting in St. Joseph with the last coming in 2011 when the Griffons fell 35-29 on November 19 in the first round of the DII Playoffs.
• 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 won 8 or more games 11 out of the last 14 years and eight out of the last nine which included a school record 12 last season. They won nine six times and eight four times.
• Head Coach
Jerry Partridge won his 100th MIAA game last week against the Ichabods while quarterback
Travis Partridge became the MWSU record holder for touchdown rushes in a career with 36.
• The Griffons have played the Bearcats better as of last winning 2-of-3 which included a 31-28 victory on November 5, 2011 in St. Joseph and a 21-20 victory last season in Maryville, Mo. on November 10, 2012 which gave the Griffons their first outright MIAA Title.
• This is the first time season since 2008 that the Griffons have lost two home games in a row as the fell 47-18 against #17 Minnesota-Duluth on September 6 and 46-40 on September 20. 2008 was also the last time the Griffons lost three games in a row. As they lost to #9 NW Missouri State 45-35 in Maryville on September 13.
• The last time the Griffons lost consecutive home games on back-to-back weeks was in 1997 when they fell 52-13 against 5 NW Missouri State and against Missouri Southern 35-22 on October 4. The MSSU game was later forfeited by MSSU.
• The Griffons have never lost three home games in a row under Partridge. The last time the Griffons lost three home games in a row was in 1992 under Stan McGarvey when tey fell to #1 Pittsburg State (31-28) on October 17, Truman State on October 31 by a score of 43-7 and Central Missouri on November 7 by a score of 38-3.
• Currently the Griffons have won 11 of 13 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 22 of their last 25 MIAA games.
• Coach Partridge is 4-14 overall against the Bearcats but just 2-7 in St. Joseph. He is also 2-7 in Maryville and and 0-2 in the D2 Playoffs.
• 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).
COACHES
MWSU head football coach Jerry Partridge. . .
• Named the sixth head coach of the Griffon football program in 1997
• Is 132-66 (.667) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 100-51 (.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 132 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• This marks the 19th meeting with NWMSU...Coach Partridge is 4-14 all time against Northwest.
• Played four years at Missouri Western (82-85).
• MIAA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012.
• Partridge is 73-25 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
• This marks the 4th meeting between Partridge and Dorrel.
• He led the Griffons to a tie for the best start in school history at 7-0 (2013, 1981).
NW Missouri State head coach Adam Dorrel. . .
• Dorrel was named head coach at Northwest Missouri State University after the passing of long-time assistant coach Scott Bostwick on June 5, 2011.
• In addition to a celebrated playoff run, the Bearcats led the nation in scoring, averaging more than 50 points per game during the regular season and scoring the second most points in college football regardless of division. The 2011 season also ushered in the program's 500th win (508-390-22) on Sept. 17 with a 73-7 thrashing of Lincoln.
• Prior to being named head coach, Dorrel was no stranger to Bearcat football or its expectations. He was the offensive coordinator at Northwest from 2007 to 2010, helping the Bearcats to an unprecedented five consecutive NCAA Division II Championship appearances and their third national title in 2009. In Dorrel's eight seasons with the Bearcats since returning in 2004, they have a 98-17 record and added five MIAA Championships.
• Dorrel's offensive unit averaged 42 points and 474 yards per game, ranking in the top 10 nationally in four major offensive categories before leading the nation in scoring at more than 50 points per game in 2011. The Bearcats were second in scoring, sixth in total offense, third in pass efficiency and eighth in passing.
• Is 1-2 against the Griffons and 1-0 in playoffs.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• In the last two seasons the Griffons are 22-2 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, 1-1 when tied and 6-0 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 26-13 in November under coach Partridge...MWSU is 16-5 at home and 10-8 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 3-3 in September against the Bearcats...The Griffons are 1-2 at home and 2-1 in Maryville. All six meetings in November were under Partridge.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 126-66-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...MWSU was 6-1 last season...Partridge is 67-24 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 10 games this season the Griffons are 42-of-48 in the redzone with 38 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. Against PSU they were 1-1 and against ESU they were 4-of-5. Last week the Griffons were 4-of-6 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 November 16
• The Griffons are 2-1 in game played on Novmeber 16.
• The Griffons are 2-0 at home and 0-1 on the road.
• The Griffons are 0-1 under coach Partridge losing to Truman State in 2002 by a score of 27-23 in Kirksville.
Rushing Attack
• The Griffons had another dominating performance on the ground going for 319 yards with
Raphael Spencer going for 193 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns.
• The Griffons rushed for 227 yards with quarterback Travis Partirdge going for a career high 130 yards against ESU.
• 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 6-1 this year when racking up over 200 yards on the ground. They had over 300 against NSU, UCO, Missouri S&T & Washburn, 210 against Nebraska-Kearney and 240 against Fort Hays State. Thier lone loss came against ESU when they had 227. 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 21-10.
• When on the road the Griffons are 19-9.
• The Griffons are 41-21 when they are ranked since 1989.
• Missouri Western is 40-19 when ranked under Partridge.
Missouri Western against ranked opponents
MWSU is 27-39 against DII ranked opponents after going 6-1 last season against ranked opponents. The Griffons are 1-2 this season after falling 34-14 against #12 Pittsburg State, 35-30 against #14 Emporia State and defeating #15 Washburn 34-31 in Topeka. 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 14-16 under Partridge at home against ranked opponents. The Griffons fell 34-14 against #12 Pittsburg State and #14 Emporia State in 2013. 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 9-16 under coach Partridge on the road against ranked opponents after going 4-1 last year. Their lone road victory this yaer against a ranked opponent came last week. 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.Â
Griffons against WU when either team is ranked
• Since 1990 the Griffons and the Ichabods have played 20 games in which one of or both teams have been ranked. The Griffons are 4-15 all-time.
• The Griffons are 2-11 against the Bearcats when NWMSU is the only team ranked. They are 1-5 at home and 1-6 on the road.
• When both teams have been ranked the Griffons are 2-4 against the Griffons. They are 1-2 at home and 1-2 on the road.Â
Griffons in TV Games Under Partridge
Western is 7-4 under Partridge after their victory over Central Missouri earlier this year 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.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 265-207-9 in their 44th year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 266-207-9 in their football history....lift the Griffons to 13-22 all-time against the Bearcats and 5-12 in St. Joseph...give MWSU...lift Partridge to 5-14 against NWMSU and 3-7 in St. Joseph...lift Partridge 4-3 in November against NWMSU...give
Travis Partridge a 3-1 record against Northwest as the starting quarterback and become the first MWSU quarterback to win three games against Northwest.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 265-208-9 in their football history...drop Partridge to 4-15 against the Bearcats...drop MWSU to 12-23 against NWMSU...drop MWSU to 4-13 in Maryville...drop Partridge to 3-4 in November against NWMSU...drop
Travis Partridge to 2-2 in 4 starts against the Bearcats.
Series Notes
This marks the 35th meeting between the two schools and sixth time in four years. The Bearcats hold a 22-12 advantage in the series. Northwest has won 15 of the last 19 meeting which includes the two playoff meetings. The Bearcats have won 10 of the 18 meetings in Maryville and 12 of the last 16 meetings in St. Joseph. The last time the Griffons defeated the Bearcats in St. Joseph was on November 5, 2011 by a score of 31-28. The victory snapped an eight game losing streak to the Bearcats. The last victory in Maryville came in 2012 by a score of 21-20 on November 16 to win their first ever MIAA title. The Bearcats longest winning streak was from 2004-2010 where they won eight straight meetings against the Griffons. MWSU's longest winning streak was from 1993-1995. The largest margin of victory for the Griffons was in 1994 when they won 20-0 in Maryville. The largest margin of victory for the Bearcats was in 2010 when they defeated the Griffons 42-0 on October 3 in Maryville. Coach Partridge is 4-14 all time against the Bearcats. Coach Partridge is just 2-7 in St. Joseph and 2-7 in Maryville. MWSU has scored 20 or more points against the Bearcats in nine of the last ten meetings but the Bearcats have scored 24 or more in all nine of those meeting which includes over 40 in four of the last eight meetings. Coach Partridge is 3-3 in November against Northwest.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 19 in the AFCA top 25 poll after defeating #15 Washburn 34-31 last weekend. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 30 polls and has received votes in 50 of the last 51 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was ranked 18th 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.
MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week
Raphael Spencer, RB, Missouri Western
For the third time this season Spencer ran for over 150 yards as he went for 193 on 27 carries with two touchdowns. Spencer has now rushed for over 100 yards six times this season. He leads the team with 11 rushing touchdowns and is now averaging 124 yards per game and 6.8 yards per carry. He has rushed for 1240 yards on the season and has scored a touchdown in seven of the Griffons 10 games. His 47-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter helped the Griffons seal the victory over the 15th ranked Washburn Ichabods.
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 will have to wait and see. If they win they may have an outside shot at getting into the playoff but if they lose their season may be over or they may be headed to a bowl game.Â
