GAME PREVIEW
Missouri Western (3-1) at #15/12 Pittsburg State (3-1)
Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m. - Carnie Smith Stadium - Pittsburg, Kansas
 

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ST. JOSEPH - Three is the magic number as Griffon Football travels to No. 15/12 Pittsburg State this Saturday. The Griffons have rattled off three-straight victories this season and have won the last three times they have visited Pittsburg, Kansas. Pittsburg State will be looking for its third-straight win in the series, after taking the last two meetings, both in St. Joseph. 

The last time MWSU visited Pittsburg, the Griffons stunned a record crowd with a 63-14 win. It stands as the Gorillas worst home loss since 1914. Pittsburg State has been in St. Joseph the last two seasons, winning 34-14 in 2013 and 23-13 last season. MWSU has won just 11 games all-time to 29 losses against Pittsburg State, but seven of those 11 wins have come in the Jerry Partridge era. It will be a matchup between the MIAA's second highest scoring offense (PSU-36.5/game) against the second stingiest defense in the conference (MWSU-16.3/game). The Griffons boast the MIAA's second-ranked total defense (269.3 yards/game) and Pitt State has the MIAA's second-best total offense (462.5 yards/game). 

Another huge crowd is expected as it's homecoming in Pittsburg. Missouri Western is coming off its second-straight comeback win (34-14 over Lindenwood) and Pittsburg State bounced back last week with a 31-24 comeback win at Fort Hays State. 

MISSOURI WESTERN NOTABLES

• Griffon Defense 2^nd in nation & 1^st in MIAA in 3^rd down defense (17.5%)
• Scoring defense (16.3 points/game) 2^nd in MIAA/20^th nationally
• Griffon-D ranks 2^nd in MIAA in total defense (272.8) and 17^th in nation
• Griffons lead MIAA in fewest 1^st downs allowed (64)
• Defense 9^th in country and 1^st in MIAA in defensive TDs (2)
• 77.84 opponent passing efficiency rating is 1^st in MIAA and 3^rd in nation
• 11 turnovers gained 2^nd most in MIAA and 17^th most in nation
• Defense has 4^th most sacks in MIAA (3.25/game) and 18^th most in country
• 9 interceptions ranks 1^st in MIAA and 3^rd in nation
• Michael Jordan 2^nd in MIAA/7^th in nation with three interceptions
• Jordan 3^rd in MIAA & nation with 2.5 passes defended/game
• Sam Brown 4^th in MIAA & 11^th nationally with 2 passes defended/game
• Holding opponents to 98.3 rush yards per game (3^rd MIAA/30^th nation)
• 174.5 passing yards per game allowed 2^nd in MIAA
• MWSU has lost least fumbles in MIAA (1); 5^TH fewest in the nation
• Passing offense averaging 286.5 yards per game (3^rd MIAA/31^st nationally)
• 17.36 yards per completion 1^st in MIAA and 6^th in nation
• Dee Toliver 2^nd in MIAA with 318 receiving yards; 3^rd with 79.5 yards/game
• Rushing offense up to 5^th in MIAA (154.3 yards/game)
• Raphael Spencer 2^nd in MIAA with 408 yards rushing; 2^nd with 102 yards/game average
• Offense enters week 3^rd in MIAA, averaging 440.8 yards per game
• Brandynn Clark leads MIAA with 13.2 yards/punt return average

PITTSBURG STATE NOTABLES

• Gorillas have 2^nd most first downs (99) in MIAA
• Rank 2^nd in MIAA averaging 24.45 yards/kickoff return
• Also 2^nd with 17.5 yards/punt return
• Have only had two passes intercepted all season
• Rank 3^rd in MIAA in interceptions (6)
• Red zone defense 2^nd in MIAA (66.7%(
• Rushing offense 2^nd in MIAA (260.8)
• Scoring offense 2^nd in MIAA (36.5 points/game)
• 3^rd in MIAA in passing efficiency (134.9)
• 2^nd in MIAA averaging 3.5 sacks/game
• Total offense ranks 2^nd in MIAA (462.5)
• 3 total turnovers are fewest in MIAA
• John Roderique Jr. completing 64.7% of passes (2^nd MIAA)
• Roderique Jr. leads MIAA with 7 rushing TDs
• Darnell Walker Jr.'s 4 interceptions most in MIAA and 2^nd most in nation
• Walker Jr. leads MIAA and nation with 3 passes defended/game
• Heath Wilson's 1.15 sacks/game most in MIAA
• Wilson also leads MIAA with 1.9 tackles for loss/game