GAME PREVIEW
Missouri Western (5-5) vs. Missouri Southern (1-9)
Saturday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. | Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium
 

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ST. JOSEPH - Griffon Football plays its final home game of the 2015 season, Saturday, when the team hosts Missouri Southern at 11 a.m. It's senior day at Spratt Stadium as 17 Griffons will be recognized before playing their final game for Missouri Western. 

Missouri Western enters having snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 34-17 win at Nebraska-Kearney. The Griffons rushed for nearly 400 yards, getting career-high performances on the ground from Raphael Spencer (251 yards) and Josh Caldwell (153 yards). Spencer eclipsed 1,000 yards for the third-straight season and 4,000 yards for his career in the game. The senior became just the second Missouri Western running back to rush for more than 4,000 yards in his career. The Griffon defense was solid again last week, limiting Nebraska-Kearney to 285 total yards, just 30 on the ground. The defense ranks second in the MIAA in total defense, scoring defense and 3rd down defense. 

Missouri Southern is looking for its second win of the season, having lost the last seven games. Last week, Southern fell 24-31 against Fort Hays State. The Southern offense is ranked ninth in the MIAA in scoring and total offense, while the defense is 12th in both categories. The Missouri Southern passing game ranks fifth in the MIAA, averaging 236.8 passing yards per game. 

Before the game, 18 seniors will be honored. The list includes six student-athletes who have already been named All-MIAA once in their careers as well as two All-Americans. This year's class includes: Brandynn Clark, Dee Toliver, Yomi Alli, Sam Brown, Michael Jordan, Elroy Douglas, Raphael Spencer, Malik Johnson, Mike Houghtaling, Nic Williams, Arbanas Elliott, Leonard Wester, Alek Ferbet, Richard Obi, Brody Berrie, Nate Wilson, Nathan O'Neill and Janis Matulis. The class has totaled 32 wins in their time as Griffons and will look for one more on Saturday. 

It's the first time Missouri Southern has visited St. Joseph since 2012. That year, Southern handed the Griffons their only regular season loss of the year as Missouri Western went on to win the MIAA and advance to the Division II quarterfinals. Missouri Southern holds a 23-22 advantage, but Missouri Western has won the last two in the series.