GRIFFON FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m.
Missouri Western (4-6) vs #18 Northwest Missouri (8-2)
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MWSU Game Notes | NWMSU Game Notes

ST. JOSEPH - The final game of the 2017 Griffon football season brings No. 18-ranked Northwest Missouri to Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium. 

Missouri Western has lost its last four games entering Saturday's rivalry week match-up while Northwest Missouri is trying to avoid ending the regular season on a three-game skid. 

SENIOR DAY
The 2018 Missouri Western football team will look much different as 17 Griffon seniors will be recognized this Saturday. Seven of the 2017 seniors are expected to start against Northwest Missouri, Saturday, and six others have started games for the Griffons in their careers.
 
The Class of 2017 includes: Dijuan Ussery, Mike Powell,  Kendall Short, Jonathan Owens, Darrian Bass, Skyler Windmiller, Corey Bertini, Cody Lindsay, Tyler Wrice, Donte Watkins,  Ian McIntosh, Tyler Basch, Tyree Graves, Max Oeser, Xavier Nelson, Michael Gallo and Mike Rafello.
       
RIVALRY WEEK / THE SERIES
These two bitter rivals meet for the 39th time on Saturday. Northwest Missouri has won the last four in the series and owns a 26-12 all-time record against Missouri Western.
 
The Griffons' last win in the series came in the final game of the 2012 season and gave Missouri Western its first-ever outright MIAA championship. The rivalry will be renewed in the 2018 season opener in Maryville as Rivalry Week in the MIAA moves to week one next year.
 
MISSOURI WESTERN LAST WEEK
Missouri Western dropped its fourth-straight game, 30-27 at Emporia State. Missouri Western took a 27-23 lead with 7:18 remaining, but Emporia State jumped back ahead with 1:12 left and held on for the win.
 
The Griffons posted a season-high 341 rushing yards with career highs from both Shamar Griffith and Dom Marino on the ground. The offense out-gained Emporia State by 126 yards, gaining the most yards (449) since Sept. 30 at Northeastern State (470). The Griffon defense tied a season high with five sacks in the game.
 
MISSOURI WESTERN NOTES
        •     Griffons have lost four-straight games
        •     Injuries at the quarterback position have forced three different starters at the position
        •     Back-to-back 400+ yard games after two-straight sub-200 yard outputs
        •     Lead the MIAA in rushing (227.5 yards per game)
        •     Four 300+ yard rushing games this season and two others at 260+
        •     Ninth in the nation with six blocked kicks
        •     10th in the nation with 25 turnovers gained
        •     Second in the MIAA with 28 sacks
 
NORTHWEST MISSOURI LAST WEEK
A 13-12 loss to Fort Hays State gave the Bearcats consecutive losses for the first time since 2001.
 
After falling behind 13-3 midway through the fourth quarter, Northwest pulled within three with its first touchdown of the game with 3:19 left. Fort Hays State took a safety with 13 seconds left, but a Hail Mary attempt by the Bearcats was intercepted, giving Fort Hays State the MIAA conference championship.
 
NORTHWEST MISSOURI NOTES
        •     Lead the nation in scoring defense (9.1 points per game)
        •     Have not allowed more than two touchdowns in a game this season; two allowed in four games
        •     Rank 9th in the MIAA in scoring offense (25.4)
        •     Lead nation in rushing defense (52 yards/game); 10th in the MIAA in rushing offense (147.8)
        •     Last time with consecutive losses in 2001 when team lost three-straight (Truman State,
                Central Missouri, Missouri Western,)