KEARNEY, Neb. – A strong defensive effort was overshadowed by offensive miscues in a 14-3 season opening loss at Nebraska-Kearney for the Missouri Western football team and first-year head coach Matt Williamson.
 
The Griffon defense limited UNK to just seven points and 270 yards, but the MWSU offense mustered just 209 yards, including 37 yards rushing after rushing for 329 against the Lopers last season. The loss snapped a streak of eight-straight wins over Nebraska-Kearney for the Griffons.
 
DEFENSE SHOWS UP
The Missouri Western defense allowed just one touchdown in the game and held UNK to 120 yards on the ground and 137 yards passing. UNK's lone touchdown drive was just a six-play, 59-yard drive in the second quarter. MWSU sacked UNK quarterback Steve Worthington twice and broke up three passes. Jonathan Owens and Anthony Williams each had eight tackles. Darrian Bass had seven tackles and 1.5 sacks.
 
COSTLY PENALTIES
Missouri Western actually had two less penalties than UNK, with seven total, but those went for 85 yards – 10 more than the Lopers. Some came at costly times as well, including two early penalties that negated what would have been third down conversions that ended up resulting in punts.
 
WINDMILLER INJURED
Senior quarterback Skyler Windmiller exited the game on what wound up being Missouri Western's final offensive drive of the season. After a promising drive that saw Windmiller complete four of his first six passes to get the Griffons from their own 15 to their own 34, he was sacked for a nine yard loss and fell hard on his left shoulder. Corey Bertini finished the drive and the game for MWSU at quarterback. Windmiller was 14-33 with one interception that was returned for a touchdown and 131 yards. Bertini went 4-8 for 41 yards.
 
UP NEXT
Missouri Western hosts Missouri Southern on Thursday, Sept. 7 at Spratt Memorial Stadium. Missouri Southern lost 48-7 at home Thursday night to Fort Hays State.