STORY LINES
• The Griffons are entering it's 44th season of football as the first year was in 1970
• This marks the fifth time since 1989 that Western has opened up the season with an MIAA game and third straight as they defeated Central Missouri 38-26 last season on August 30, but fell to Pittsburg State University by a score of 34-7 on September 1st, 2011 in Spratt Stadium.
• The Griffons are 2-2 in season openers that are MIAA games. Missouri Western won last season but fell two years ago against Pittsburg State 35-7 on September 1, 2011. The Griffons fell on September 2, 1989 in Spratt against Northwest 45-29 and won on September 1 against #15 Northwest 27-25 in Maryville, Mo.
• This marks the third time in school history that the Griffons and the Mules have opened up the season against each other.
• The first time was on August 30, 1986 when the Griffons fell to the Mules 23-17 in St. Joseph, Mo.
• The Griffons have opened up MIAA play three times against Central Missouri. The Griffons lost 34-28 on September 15, 2001 in Warrensburg and fell 21-14 on September 21, 2002 against the #14 Mules in St. Joseph. The Griffons got on the right side of things last season with their 38-26 victory.
• This marks the first time since 1986 that the two teams will open up the season in Warrensburg.
• The Griffons have defeated the Mules nine out of the last ten meeting which includes six straight time in Spratt Stadium. The Griffons fell the last time in Warrensburg by a score of 43-21 on October 16, 2011 against #11 Central Missouri. The Griffons were ranked 17th at the time.
• The Griffons are 3-3 against the Mules since 2001 when ranked in the top-25. Missouri Western is 4-2 against the Mules when Central Missouri is ranked in the top-25 poll.
• 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 124-64 (.660) in his 17th season as the Griffon head coach.
• Is 93-49 (.655) 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 124 wins.
• Is third in all-time wins in the MIAA.
• Is 11-5 all-time against the University of Central Missouri and is 5-3 against UCM in Warrensburg.
• 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 4th meeting against Coach Svoboda.
Central Missouri head coach Jim Svoboda . . .
• Is 25-11 entering his 4th season as the Mules head coach.
• Led the Mules to an 11-3 and 8-1 MIAA record during his first season at the helm.
• Came to UCM after three seasons at Montana State University
• A 1983 graduate of Northwestern College in Iowa
• Was at Northwest Missouri State from 1994-2003 as the offensive coordinator.
• Is 1-2 against Coach Partridge. Lone win came in Warrensburg in 2010.
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.
September Success
• In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 38-24 overall and 19-12 in Spratt Stadium and 19-12 on the road.
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 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 5
• The Griffons are 3-2 when playing on September 5th. The Griffons won 27-20 on September 5, 1981 at Evangel and won their last game on September 5 at Nebraska-Kearney 26-23. The Griffons are 0-1 at Spratt Stadium and 3-1 on the road.
Griffons in season openers
• The Griffons are 26-15-2 all-time in season openers
• Under coach Partridge the Griffons are 12-4 in openers. Missouri Western has won seven of the last eight season openers.
• All-time the Griffons are 16-8 at home in openers and 10-7-2 on the road.
• Under Partridge the Griffons are 8-3 at home and 4-1 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 12-12 in MIAA openers. Missouri Western is 6-6 at home and 6-6 on the road.
• Missouri Western has gone 8-8 under head coach
Jerry Partridge in MIAA openers. Western is 4-4 at home and 4-4 on the road in MIAA openers.
vs. Central when the Mules are ranked in the AFCA Poll
The Griffons are just 4-2 since 1990 against the Mules when Central Missouri is ranked in the top-25. They are 3-1 at home against Central Missouri and 1-1 on the road. The Griffons defeated the Mules last season on August 30, 2012 by a score of 38-26. UCM was ranked 22nd by D2football.com. Two season ago on September 8, 2011 in Spratt Stadium the Griffons beat UCM by a score of 23-6 when the Mules were ranked #12.
vs. Central when the Griffons are ranked
Since 1990 the Griffons are 3-3 when they are ranked against the Mules. Missouri Western is 1-1 at home and 1-2 on the road. Last season the Griffons were ranked #18 when they defeated the Mules in the season opener. Missouri Western's first meeting with Central when they both were ranked was in 2002 when the Griffons were ranked 22nd and the Mules were 14th. The Griffons last victory over the Mules when they were ranked in the AFCA poll was in 2009 when MWSU defeated UCM 36-21 on October 16 in St. Joseph when they were ranked 15th and the Mules were ranked 14th.
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 6-4 under Partridge after going 3-0 last season 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
• 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.
• 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)
Replacing Hill
With the departure of running back
Michael Hill, the all-time leader in rushing yards for the Griffons, Missouri Western will look to have a three-headed monster rushing attack to fill the void. Running backs
Dalton Krysa (6-0, 210, Sr.),
Dominic Thomas (5-8, 185, Jr.) and
Raphael Spencer (5-9, 190, So.) all have a chance to crack the starting lineup and help the Griffons run game. "Krysa is dependable…Raphael, really dynamic and electric; big play guy...Dom is boastful, fast, strong too," Partridge said. All three have had serious playing time with the Griffons over the past two seasons. Krysa returns after a knee injury sidelined him for most of 2012. Thomas averaged 6.2 yards per carry last year and Spencer scored five touchdowns in 13 games his freshman season.
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
Jac'que Polite (6-5, 300, Jr.), a transfer from Gray Military Academy, are strong and physical. The guards will be
Travis Anderson (6-3, 305, Fr.) and
Christian Orduno (6-3, 295, Jr.), another transfer, coming from Mt. San Antonio College.
Josh Ferge (6-3, 305, Sr.) is a versatile reserve that adds depth to the line.
Death Row Replacements
Three of the starting four defensive lineman graduated, including four-year starter and NFL drafted
David Bass. However, the Griffons can still be dominant up front. Taking over Bass' position is
John Oglesby (6-3, 295, Jr.), a JUCO transfer from Bakersfield College. Playing opposite of Oglesby is
Janis Matulis (6-4, 270, So.) who played in 13 games last season as a reserve. "You're not going to replace
David Bass, but we don't think there's going to be that much of a dropoff of D-Line play, if at all," Partridge said. The interior lineman include last year's starter
Austin Baska (6-4, 283, Sr.), a solid defensive guard who played through several injuries last season despite starting every game, and Abranas Elliott (6-4, 290, So.)
Mackenzie Wischmann (6-6, 225, Fr.) may also see a lot of playing time in his first season. "Baska is a beast…Elliott is a stud. Every one of those kids across the board are first team All-MIAA caliber D-Lineman in this league. And we like both those back-up kids. We feel like we're deep at D-Line."
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.
About UCM:
• The Central Missouri Mules and Head Coach Jim Svoboda and his staff will welcome 46 returning letterman for the 2013 season.
• Entering its 118th season of football.
• The Mules return 10 players who started at least half of the games in 2012. UCM returns 14 players who started at least one game last season.
• The Mules have done a good job of protecting their home turf at Walton Stadium/Kennedy Field during the Jim Svoboda Era. The Mules were 4-1 at home during the 2012 season and Central Missouri is 12-4 overall at home during Svoboda's three seasons. The Mules have had six straight seasons with a winning record at home.
• Offensively the Mules return All-MIAA quarterback Colter Smith and All-MIAA running back LaVance Taylor along with wide recievers Clayton Cooper and Anthony Kirkwood. Smith threw for over 2,700 yards and 20 touchdowns while Taylor rushed for 672 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Defensively the Mules must replace four All-MIAA players from a uniot that was second in the league in scoring defense and third in turnover margin. Ricky Spartley returns after finishing third on the team with 53 tackles last season.
• The special teams return six players from the 2012 squad including kick returners Anthony Kirkwood and LaVance Taylor who helped UCM rank fourth in the MIAA at 20.9 yards per return last season.
Griffon Football History
Missouri Western is 257-205-9 in their 43rd year of Griffon football.
A win for Missouri Western would
Lift the Griffons to 258-205-9 in their football history...be the Griffons tenth victory in the last 11 seasons over the Mules...lift the Griffons to 16-13-1 all-time against UCM....improve coach Partridge to 12-5 all-time against the Mules...tie the series at 7-7 in games played in Warrensburg...give quarterback
Travis Partridge a 3-0 record all-time against Central Missouri.
A loss for Missouri Western would
Drop the Griffons to 257-206-9 in their football history...close the series gap to 15-14-1 in favor of the Griffons...be the first win for the Mules over the Griffons since October 16, 2010 when UCM won in Warrensburg...drop Partridge to 11-6 all-time against UCM...drop
Travis Partridge to 2-1 as a starting quarterback against the Mules...both wins came in St. Joseph.
Series Notes
This marks the 30th meeting between the two schools. The Griffons hold a 15-13-1 advantage in the series. MWSU won last season in St. Joseph and has won the last six meetings in St. Joseph. The Mules lead the series 7-6 in Warrensburg, Mo. while the Griffons hold a 9-6-1 lead in St. Joseph. The Griffons longest winning streak in the series is seven games from 2003 to 2010 while the Mules longest winning streak was seven from 1986-1992. The Griffons are 1-4 all-time when playing the Mules in September. The Griffons are 1-2 at home and 0-2 on the road. The Griffons are 1-2 in September under Partridge against the Mules and are 1-1 at home and 0-1 on the road. The Griffons lone victory came on September 10, 2011 by a score of 23-6 against then #12 UCM in St. Joseph. The game was an MIAA Televised game. In the month of September under Partridge the Griffons are 38-24 overall and 19-12 in Spratt Stadium and 19-12 on the road. MWSU has scored 30 or more points against the Mules in five of their last seven meetings and 27 or more in seven of the last nine 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 20 polls and has received votes in 40 of the last 41 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 host Missouri S&T on Sept. 14 in a non-conference game at 6:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo. The game will reunite former MWSU Offensive Coordinator Tyler Fenwick and former running backs coach Michael Burton with MWSU. Tyler Fenwick is the head coach while Burton is an assistant under Fenwick for the Miners.
