GRIFFON FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Missouri Western (0-1) vs Missouri Southern (0-1)
When: Thursday, September 7 – 7:00 p.m.
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 | Missouri Southern Game Notes
 
ST. JOSEPH – A pair of longtime rivals look for their first win of the 2017 season as Missouri Western hosts Missouri Southern in the Griffons' home opener.
 
Senior Griffon quarterback Skyler Windmiller will not play Thursday night after suffering an injury late in last week's 14-3 loss at Nebraska-Kearney. First-year Griffon head coach Matt Williamson's depth chart listed first-year Griffon Dom Marino as the starter for the home opener. Corey Bertini, who started the final two games of the 2016 season for an injured Windmiller, finished last week's game at Nebraska-Kearney and will likely factor into the position this week as well.
 
LAST WEEK: Missouri Western suffered its first season opening loss since 2011. Five new defensive starters didn't show much sign of inexperience while holding UNK to just one touchdown and 270 total yards. The Griffon offense was limited to 209 yards, just 37 on the ground. Missouri Southern allowed scores on Fort Hays State's first five possessions in a 48-7 home opening loss. The Lions were down 41-7 at the half after some special teams miscues led to quick Fort Hays scores.    
 
THE SERIES: It may not be universally recognized as a rivalry, but the statistics show it is. Missouri Western has won four straight in the series to take a 24-23 advantage all-time. Missouri Southern proved to be a thorn in the Griffons' side for many years, winning three of four before the Griffons' recent win streak. The last two years have been lopsided wins for MWSU, by a combined score of 114-35.
 
MISSOURI WESTERN: A new defense and a host of inexperienced starters and reserves held their own last week, limiting Nebraska-Kearney to one touchdown and 270 yards … Jonathan Owens and Anthony Williams each had eight tackles last week … Darrian Bass had seven tackles and 1.5 sacks last week … 2016 first team All-MIAA running back Joshua Caldwell was held to 47 yards on 15 carries … Vanel Dossous had 43 yards receiving, but picked up 39 of those on the Griffons' first play from scrimmage … Keylan Mack and Brock Broughton each caught four passes … Bertini was 4-8 for 41 yards in relief of Windmiller
 
MISSOURI SOUTHERN: Redshirt freshman Shemar Coleman rushed for 51 yards and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass in the Lions loss last week … Roc Robbins recorded two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss against Fort Hays State … Josiah Bennett caught four passes for 29 yards … Dante Vandeven was 15-29 with one touchdown and 138 passing yards to go along with 46 rushing yards
 
UP NEXT: The Griffons will get back on the bus for a trip to Warrensburg, Missouri to take on Central Missouri, Saturday, Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. The Mules enter week No. 2 ranked No. 13. They play at Fort Hays State Thursday night.