JOPLIN, Mo. – The opponent and location were different, but the script was much the same as week one as Griffon Football defeated Missouri Southern, 51-14 on Saturday night. It was the Griffons' fourth-straight win in Joplin and the largest margin of victory in Joplin for the Griffons in the 47-year history of the rivalry.
 
For the second straight game, Missouri Western dominated the ground game, out rushing Missouri Southern 262 yards to 30. The Griffon offense totaled 525 yards and limited Missouri Southern to 284. The 51 points in Joplin combined with the 44 scored last week are the most points for a Griffon Football team through the first two weeks since scoring 117 combined against Mesa State and Lincoln in 2010.
 
Skyler Windmiller had one of his best games in a Griffon uniform, completing 83-percent of his passes (15-18) for 229 yards and two touchdowns. The junior signal caller also rushed 10 times for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Much like last week, Windmiller spread the football around, completing passes to eight different Griffons, nine total caught passes on the night. Brock Broughton and Terry Jackson Jr. caught the touchdown passes. Broughton led the Griffons in receiving yards with 83. Patrick Bolton led the team with four receptions for 46 yards.
 
On the ground, Josh Caldwell led the way again, rushing 12 times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Short carried it 16 times for 77 yards and Derek Gray added his second career touchdown on six carries for 24 yards.
 
Missouri Western overcame three first half turnovers to take a 28-6 lead to halftime. The Griffons also once again won despite some special teams hiccups. Missouri Southern blocked a Griffon punt for a safety. Dijuan Ussery also fumbled on a kick return and the Griffons missed their third field goal of the season.
 
The win sets up the game of the week in the MIAA next Saturday as the Griffons host Central Missouri at 6 p.m. in St. Joseph. The Griffons and Mules are both 2-0 with Central Missouri ranked No. 16 in last week's AFCA poll and No. 8 in the D2Football.com poll. It's Family Weekend and Military Appreciation night at Spratt Memorial Stadium.