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ST. JOSEPH – The 2015 Griffon Football season begins Thursday when the team travels to Warrensburg for a fourth-straight season opening matchup with Central Missouri.
 
THE GAME
MWSU has claimed 11 of the last 12 matchups with UCM, including four in a row. Jerry Partridge won his 13^th game against the Mules last season, the most wins for the coach over any MIAA opponent. A defensive battle last year was won 10-9 by Missouri Western. Arbanas Elliott's interception deep in Central Missouri territory with two minutes to go set up the Griffons' only touchdown of the game, a three-yard Raphael Spencer rush to give MWSU its first lead of the game. The Griffon defense was able to hold after a threatening drive by UCM in the closing minute to hold on for the one-point win. Missouri Western's recent success against Central Missouri have given the program a 17-13-1 advantage in the all-time series.


MISSOURI WESTERN AT A GLANCE
Picked to finish fourth by the MIAA media and fifth by the coaches, the Griffons return 15 starters and 36 letermen from the 2014 team that went 7-4 and finished in a three-way tie for fourth place in the MIAA. Key returners include the team's 2014 leaders in passing, rushing, receiving yards, sacks and interceptions. Eight 2014 All-MIAA selections are back for 2015, including 2014 All-American corner back Michael Jordan. The senior has already been named to five preseason All-American teams in 2015.
 
Skyler Windmiller picks up where he left off in 2014 as the team's starting quarterback. The sophomore came one yard short of 1,800 passing yards over nine starts last season, completing 54.8 percent of his passes and tossing nine touchdowns. Windmiller has first team All-MIAA running back Raphael Spencer back. Entering his senior season, Spencer is third on the MWSU all-time rushing list. All but one starting offensive linemen return for 2015, including first team All-MIAA guard Travis Anderson. Alek Ferbet was honorable mention All-MIAA at the tight end position a year ago and returns for 2015. Last year's receiving yards leader Dee Toliver leads a group of receivers that might present the only question mark on the 2015 Griffon offense.
 
Jordan leads a group of very experienced defenders. He and fellow senior Sam Brown will look to shut down opposing receivers at the corner spot. The only new starters in 2015 are at safety and linebacker. The Griffons replace both safeties, one outside and one inside linebacker this year. The 2015 projected starters all bring a wealth of experience and coaches seem more than confident in the talent levels of Darrian Bass, Jorge Belcher, Jonathan Owens and Donte Watkins. The entire defensive line is back for 2015.
 
Maybe the only real question mark going into the 2015 depth chart is who the punter and kicker will be for the Griffons. Scott Groner was a record breaking All-American punter for the Griffons but is now on the coaching staff. John Schmiemeier graduated after an All-American season at placekicker. Transfer Matthew Vincent looks to have the punting spot nailed down for now while true freshmen Tanner Pettet and Sean Galey continue to battle for the kicker spot.   
 
CENTRAL MISSOURI AT A GLANCE
The Mules came in third in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll and fifth in the media poll after a tie for fourth and a 7-4 finish in 2014. The d2football.com preseason top-25 poll has the Mules at No. 20, while the team also received votes in the AFCA Preseason Poll. Jim Svboda is in his sixth year leading the program, carrying a 39-19 record in his time at UCM. Svboda defeated MWSU in his first attempt (2010) but has not been able to claim a second win over the Griffons, losing the last four.
 
All-World running back LaVance Taylor has graduated. The back led the Mules last season in rushing yards, all-purpose yards, scoring and receptions. UCM will also start a new quarterback under center in 2015 and looks for new help at receiver as well. Garrett Fugate looks to be the opening day starter after completing five of nine pass attempts in 2014. Kyle Echols led the Mules with 532 receiving yards in an All-MIAA campaign in 2014 and is back this season. Justus McMullen caught 26 passes last year, the most of any returning pass catcher.  
 
Defensively, UCM returns its leading sacker from 2014 in Jason Venckus. J.R. Alexander tied for the team lead with four interceptions last season and is back in 2015. Diaron Rhodes earned All-MIAA status in just six starts with 51 total tackles, one interception and 15 pass break ups.
 
Overall, the Mule offense lost six starters and five defensive starters. They return two All-MIAA performers on the offensive line and two on the defensive side of the ball.