Box Score HAYS, Kan. - The Griffon offense found some traction and the defense continued to excel as Missouri Western avoided consecutive losses for the first time since 2008 with a 26-7 win at Fort Hays Saturday night.
Missouri Western rushed for a season-high 202 yards, including 165 from
Raphael Spencer and passed for 153 for 355 total yards of offense without a turnover. It was MWSU's highest offensive output of the season. The Griffon defense held the Tigers to just 7 points on 396 yards and turned Fort Hays over three times.
The Griffons jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter on a 71-yard touchdown run by Spencer and a 33-yard field goal from
John Schmiemeier. The Griffons led by six at the half, 13-7, but shut the Tigers out in the second half while adding 13 more points of their own.
Skyler Windmiller finished 15-26 for a career-high 153 yards through the air. The redshirt freshman added 22 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. It was also a career night for
Dee Tolliver, who hauled in five catches for 49 yards. Spencer added two catches for 45 yards and
Stephon Weaver had five receptions for 31 yards.
Stephen Juergens led the team with 12 total tackles. Juergens also had one of three MWSU sacks on the night.
Kirk Resseguie and
Cody Lindsay added the other two.
Jonathan Owens picked up his first career interception and
Sam Brown had his second of the season.
With the win, Missouri Western improves to 4-2 on the season and extends their winning streak over Fort Hays to 10 games. The Griffons will play their first afternoon game next Saturday when they travel to Washburn.
