ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – In a game that prompted a look back through the record books, Griffon Football handled Missouri Southern with a 63-21, Senior Day win.
It was the first time since 2007 Missouri Western defeated Missouri Southern at Spratt Stadium and the Griffons' 63 points were the most since scoring 63 at Central Oklahoma on Oct. 5, 2013. Missouri Western jumped out to a 28-0 lead on two
Josh Caldwell touchdown runs, a 69-yard touchdown reception by
Dee Toliver and an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown by
Brandynn Clark. The punt return TD by Clark was the first for Missouri Western since Derek Libby did it at Central Oklahoma in 2013.
The Griffon offense came 26 yards short of the team's first 600-yard offensive output since 2011, finishing with 81 plays for 574 yards. Missouri Western rushed for 294 yards, getting 128 from
Raphael Spencer and 121 from Caldwell. The Griffon defense limited Missouri Southern to just 51 yards on the ground. DiJuan Ussery caught five passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, the team's first player with two receiving TDs in a game since Reggie Jordan in 2013.
Skyler Windmiller finished the game 15 of 27 passing for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
Missouri Western scored 21 points off of Missouri Southern turnovers, picking off the Lions three times.
Jonathan Owens,
Darrian Bass and
Yomi Alli all finished with eight total tackles. Owens had one of the interceptions along with
Sam Brown and
Elroy Douglas. Douglas returned his 40 yards for a touchdown, the team's first pick-6 since
Michael Jordan did it at Washburn last season. The defense sacked TJ Fleeton three times.
Missouri Western finished the season 6-5 for a seventh consecutive winning season and six wins or more for an 11
th season. 18 seniors were honored before the game Saturday. The group featured six All-MIAA selections and two All-Americans. Honored as seniors, Saturday, were:
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.
