STORY LINES
• The Griffons are in their 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970
• This will mark the first meeting between the Griffons and the Miners since November 6, 2004 when Missouri Western defeated then Missouri-Rolla 49-14. This marks the first time the Griffons have played the Miners since the name change from Missouri-Rolla to Missouri S&T.
• The Griffons have opened up the season 2-0 10 times under Coach Partridge with the last time being last season when the Griffons defeated Central Missouri 38-26 and William Jewell 56-0.
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 30-12 all-time in games that are not MIAA games. MWSU is 16-4 at home, 10-6 on the road and 4-2 on a neutral field.
• This marks the 14th time that the Griffons have played the Miners in St. Joseph. Missouri Western is 10-3 all-time at home against the Miners winning the last eight meeting in St. Joseph.
• The first time the two teams met was in St. Joseph on September 14, 1974 when S&T won 15-7.
• The Griffons first victory in St. Joseph against the Miners was on September 3, 1983 by a score of 35-28.
• This marks the first meeting between the Griffons and former offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwick. Fenwick took over the head coaching job at S&T this season.
• The last loss for the Griffons in the series was on October 25, 1997 by a score of 17-0 in Rolla. That year was also head coach
Jerry Partridge's first season as the Griffons head coach.
• Last season the Miners were 10-1 with their only loss coming against GLVC champion University of Indianapolis by a score of 54-35.
• 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 125-64 (.661) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 94-49 (.657) 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 125 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• Is 7-1 all-time against the Missouri S&T and is 4-0 against S&T in St. Joseph, Mo.
• Played four years at Missouri Western (82-85).
• MIAA Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2012.
• Partridge is 70-23 at home in his career with three undefeated seasons at home (2003, 2006, 2010).
• Marks the 1st meeting with former offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwick.
Missouri S&T head coach Tyler Fenwick . . .
• Tyler Fenwick, who has served as the offensive coordinator at Missouri Western State University for the past six seasons, was named on March 20 as the new head football coach at Missouri S&T.
• Fenwick has been part of a Missouri Western program that has played in the post-season in each of the six seasons that he was on the staff, including an appearance in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 2012.
• Prior to that, he spent five years on the staff at Occidental College in California – the last four as offensive coordinator – and one season as offensive coordinator at Minnesota State University Moorhead, where the Dragons posted their first winning season in seven years.
• He is the 19th head coach in the history of the Miner program and seventh since 1937. Fenwick is taking over for David Brown, who stepped down from the position last month to join the coaching staff at Fresno State University.
• He is 0-1 as a head coach falling last week 40-34 against #20 Chadron State in double overtime.
TEAM NOTEBOOK
Quick Starts Key for Griffons
• In the last two seasons the Griffons are 16-2 when leading after the first quarter. Last season the Griffons were 11-1 when leading after the first quarter...The season they are 1-0 when trailing after the first quarter.
September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 39-24 overall and 19-12 in Spratt Stadium and 20-12 on the road. Last season the Griffons were 4-0 in the month of September and are off to a good start this season going 1-0.
In Spratt Stadium
• The Griffons are 123-64-3 since 1979 in Spratt Stadium...MWSU was 6-1 last season...Partridge is 64-22 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 opener this season the Griffons were 2-of-3 in the redzone with two 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 September 14
• The Griffons are 2-2 on the 14th of September with all four games coming at home.
• The Griffons played one game on September 14th against Missouri S&T which was the first meeting ever between the two schools.
• The Griffons fell 15-7 in St. Joseph, Mo. on September 14, 1974.
Griffons in season openers
• The Griffons are 27-15-2 all-time in season openers
• Under coach Partridge the Griffons are 13-4 in openers. Missouri Western has won eight of the last nine season openers.
• All-time the Griffons are 16-8 at home in openers and 11-7-2 on the road.
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 8-3 at home and 5-1 on the road.
• The last Griffon loss in a season opener was in 2011 September 1st against Pittsburg State by a score of 34-7. PSU was the national champions that year.
• The Griffons are 13-12 in MIAA openers. Missouri Western is 6-6 at home and 7-6 on the road.
• Missouri Western has gone 9-8 under head coach
Jerry Partridge in MIAA openers. Missouri Western is 4-4 at home and 5-4 on the road in MIAA openers.
Griffons in Home Openers
The Griffons are 29-14-1 in home openers since they started playing football in 1970. The Griffons are 12-4 under Partridge in home openers after defeating Central Missouri last season 38-26 in their home opener.
Home Openers vs. Missouri S&T
The Griffons are 2-3 all-time when opening up their home portion of their schedule against Missouri S&T. The Griffons lost against Missouri S&T the last time the played them in their first game at home on September 5, 1987 by a score of 19-7.
9-14-74 - L, 15-7
9-11-76 - L, 7-6
9-3-83 - W, 35-28
9-4-85 - W, 24-15
9-5-87 - L, 19-7
vs. Missouri S&T in September
In the month of September against the Miners the Griffons are 10-4-1 overall. The Griffons are 6-2 at home in September against Missouri S&T and 4-2-1 on the road. The Griffons are 2-0 under Partridge in the month of September against the Miners winning in 1999 by a score of 56-10 in Rolla and 63-0 in 2000 in St. Joseph, Mo.
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.
INDIVIDUAL NOTEBOOK
The Leader
• Partridge moved up to 3rd all-time in passing after passing for 198 yards last week against UCM. He has 4,746 passing yards in his career to go along with 52 touchdowns.
• He led the Griffons on a game winning drive last week against UCM.
• Senior quarterback
Travis Partridge led the Griffons to their first outright MIAA Title a season ago with a 12-2 record.
• All-MIAA first team selection in 2012
• Started all 12 games last season
• Rushed for a single season high 18 touchdowns
• 20112 Awards: 2012 Awards
- MIAA Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 10)
- First Team All-MIAA
- Don Hansen Football Honorable Mention All-American
- 2012 Don Hansen All-Super Region Three First Team
- Beyond Sports College Network Honorable Mention All-American
- Daktronics Super Region Four Second Team
2013 Preseason Honors
- BSN All-American (Second Team)
- CBS Sports All-American (First Team)
Moving the Chains
• Senior tight end
Reggie Jordan will be a valuable asset in the redzone and on short yardage situations.
• Jordan caught the game winning touchdown last Thursday against UCM. Jordan has caught 12 touchdowns in his last 15 games dating back to last season.
• Last season Jordan caught 23 passes with 11 going for a touchdown.
• Was fourth in the nation averaging 1.21 sacks per game.
• Had two games with two receiving touchdowns.
• 2012 Awards
- Honorable Mention All-MIAA
- Honorable Mention D2Football.com All-American
• 2013 Preseason Honors
USA College Football All-American (First Team)
Sporting News All-American (First Team)
Other Preseason All-Americans
• CBS College Football
Yomi Alli (Second Team)
Jeremy Jacobsen (Third Team)
Wallace Carter (Third Team)
Spencer Stepping Up
Redshirt sophomore
Raphael Spencer stepped up big last week for the Griffons. When the offensive look down he led the Griffons down the field for their first touchdown of the season. Spencer finished the night with a 7.0 yards per carry average. He had 13 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown.
OL Questions
One of the best offensive lines all graduated last year, but the Griffons believe they have found the right guys to replace the five that have departed. Jeremy Jacobson (6-3, 315, Sr.) played guard last season and started three games to help the Griffons after injuries forced them to move around some players. Jacobson will start at center. "We're excited to see (Jeremy) have a good senior year," Partridge said about his new center. New tackles
Leonard Wester (6-6, 305, So.) and
Christian Orduno (6-3, 295, Jr.) from Mt. San Antonio College played well last Thursday. The guards will be
Travis Anderson (6-3, 305, Fr.) and
Josh Ferge (6-3, 305, Sr.) also played well. True freshman
John Carter stepped in and played the whole second half after Anderson went down with an injury.
Death Row Replacements
The Griffons defensive line played extremely well last Thursday allowing just 40 yards on 39 carries to the Mules.
Janis Matulis stepped up big getting eight tackles with four being solo. He had 1.5 tackles for a loss with one sack. Junior transfer John Ogelsby also played well getting six tackles. He had 2.5 tackles for a loss with two sacks. Inside
Austin Baska finished with seven assisted tackles while
Kurt Petroll had two tackles win one sack.
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.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 258-205-9 in their 44th year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 259-205-9 in their football history...be the Griffons eighth victory in the last nine games against the Miners...be the Griffons nine staright victory over the Miners in St. Joseph...lift the Griffons to 19-7-1 all-time against MST....improve coach Partridge to 8-1 all-time against the Miners...lift the Griffons to 11-3 overall against the Miners in St. Joseph...lift coach Partridge to 1-0 all-time against former offensive coordinator Tyler Fenwick....give quarterback
Travis Partridge a 1-0 record all-time against Missouri S&T.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 258-206-9 in their football history...close the series gap to 18-8-1 in favor of the Griffons...be the first win for the Miners over the Griffons since October 25, 1997 when MST won in Rolla...give Missouri S&T their first victory in St. Joseph since September 5, 1997 when they defeated the Griffons 19-7...drop Partridge to 7-2 all-time against MST...drop
Travis Partridge to 0-1 as a starting quarterback against the Miners..
Series Notes
This marks the 27th meeting between the two schools. The Griffons hold a 18-7-1 advantage in the series. MWSU won the last meeting last season in St. Joseph back on November 6, 2004. The Griffons have won seven of the last eight and nine of the last 11. The Griffons have won the last eight played in St. Joseph. The Griffons lead the series 10-3 in St. Joseph and 8-4-1 in Rolla. The Griffons longest winning streak in the series is seven games from 1988 to 1994 and from 1998-present while the Miners longest winning streak was two from 1986-1987. The Griffons are 2-3 all-time when playing the Mules in September. The Griffons are 6-2 at home and 4-2-1 on the road. The Griffons are 2-0 in September under Partridge against the Miners and are 1-0 at home and 1-0 on the road. In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 39-24 overall and 19-12 in Spratt Stadium and 20-12 on the road. MWSU has scored 29 or more points against the Miners in thier last seven meetings.
Griffons in the National Polls
The Missouri Western Griffons were tabbed No. 6 in the AFCA preseason top 25 poll. Missouri Western has been ranked in the top 25 in the last 21 polls and has received votes in 41 of the last 42 polls by the American Football Coaches Association. Missouri Western was listed 5th in the 2013 d2football.com preseason poll and were No. 4 in the d2football.com final 2012 media poll. The #3 ranking the Griffons last season is the highest ranking for the Griffons. The #4 ranking was the highest by the AFCA.
Up Next
Missouri Western will be on the road next weekend when they travel to Kearney, Neb. to take on the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers. Kickoff is set for 3:00 pm from Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field. The Griffons defeated the Lopers last season 38-14 when they were ranked #8 in the nation.
