GRIFFON FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Missouri Western (3-2) vs Lindenwood (2-3)
When: Saturday, October 7 - 1PM
Where: Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium
Watch: The MIAA Network
Listen: Griffon Sports Network – 680 KFEQ
Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/missouri/football
Follow: @GriffonFootball @GoGriffons
GAME DAY PRIMER
MWSU Game Notes | Lindenwood Game Notes
ST. JOSEPH - Griffon football looks for its third straight win on the season and its third straight win at home when Lindenwood visits Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium this Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Missouri Western's high-octane offense has helped the team to back-to-back victories and a 2-0 record at home. The Griffons haven't been held under 41 points in their last four games. It will be Military Appreciation day at the stadium with various military recognitions occurring throughout the game. All active duty and veterans will be admitted free Saturday with ID. It will also be Youth Day with all youth age 12 and under admitted free. The first 500 Griffon fans will receive a patriotic themed Griffon football t-shirt courtesy of Cintas.
THE SERIES
History doesn't run deep between the two schools. Missouri Western has claimed all three contests in the series. Last year the Griffons won 37-29 in St. Charles, racking up 524 yards of offense.
MISSOURI WESTERN LAST WEEK
It was the most points scored by a Griffon football team since 2011 as Missouri Western won 65-17 at Northeastern State. The Griffons forced five turnovres and rushed for 299 yards. Nine different Griffons registered carries with five different players rushing for a touchdown. Seven different Griffons cuaght passes.
MISSOURI WESTERN THIS SEASON
The 65 points last week gave the Griffons four-straight weeks of scoring at least 41 points. Missouri Western enters this week as the top scoring offense in the MIAA at 39.6 points per game. The Griffons' 252.2 rushing yards per game lead the MIAA and rank 14th nationally.
Joshua Caldwell leads the MIAA with 559 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Defensively, the Griffons are one of the nation's best at taking the ball away. Missouri Western's 16 turnovers gained are the fifth most in the nation, and most in the MIAA. Meanwhile, the Griffon offense has been stingy with the football, leaving the team with the MIAA's best turnover margin at +9.
Brandin Dandridge leads the MIAA with 1.6 passes defended per game.
The Griffon special teams units have been among the best in the MIAA. Missouri Western has blocked four kicks this season and leads the MIAA in punt returns, averaging more than 20 yards per return.
Jonathan Owens is the conference's leading punt returner, averaging 21.3 yards per return while
Shamar Griffith leads the conference with 393 total kick return yards.
UP NEXT
Missouri Western makes its only October road trip, visiting Pittsburg State on Oct. 14. The Griffons and Gorillas are set for a 2 p.m. kickoff in Pittsburg, Kansas.
LINDENWOOD LAST WEEK
Lindenwood took No. 11 Fort Hays State down to the wire, losing 38-35 in St. Charles. Lindenwood led 28-21 in the third quarter, before three-straight Fort Hays State scores put the Tigers up by 10. Lindenwood pulled within three with one minute remaining, but an onside kick attempt was recovered by Fort Hays State.
LINDENWOOD THIS SEASON
Statistically balanced, Lindenwood ranks fifth in the MIAA in total offense (437 yards/game) and total defense (390 yards/game). Lindenwood is passing for 244 yards per game while rushing for 193.
The ground game presents an intriguing matchup, Saturday. Lindenwood ranks 10th in the MIAA, allowing 195 rushing yards per game. That defense will be pitted against Missouri Western's top-ranked rushing offense. The Lions have rushed for 193 yards per game, third most in the MIAA, while the Griffon defense is seventh in the MIAA, allowing 175 yards per game.
Najee Jackson ranks sixth in the MIAA with 1,142 passing yards and fifth with nine passing touchdowns. Shakeem Wharton leads the team with 266 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Deantrell Prince is third in the MIAA with 487 receiving yards. Darrius Williams averages 10.4 tackles per game, third most in the MIAA.
UP NEXT
It will be homecoming in St. Charles as Lindenwood hosts Emporia State on Oct. 14.
