THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON FOOTBALL
Missouri Western (4-3) at Emporia State (4-3)
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. | Francis G. Welch Stadium | Emporia, Kan.
 
ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western football will travel to Emporia State this week looking to bounce back following its first loss in four games. Saturday's matchup will showcase two very different offensive styles.
 

5 THINGS TO WATCH

• The Hornets and the Griffons have completely different approaches on offense. Emporia State has the second-most pass attempts of any team in the MIAA while Missouri Western is second in the conference averaging 235 yards rushing per game.
• That success on the ground can be credited to the Griffon offensive line. Along with the paving the way for the rushing attack, the Griffons lead the MIAA with only five sacks allowed.
• The Hornet offense against the Griffon red zone defense will be a matchup of strengths. Emporia State has scored a touchdown in 73 percent of its red zone attempts while the Griffons have only allowed touchdowns 52 percent of the time they are backed up inside their own 20-yard line.
• While sitting in the middle of the pack in the MIAA in yards allowed per game, the Missouri Western defense relies on big plays to get their defense off the field. The Griffons are second in the MIAA with 10 interceptions through seven games and have 15 sacks as a team.
• Although the Griffons are the most-penalized team in the conference, they are coming off their least amount of penalty yards this season. The Griffons had only 34 penalty yards against Central Oklahoma.

 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS

• Missouri Western will be coming off its first loss to an unranked opponent this season against Central Oklahoma last week.
• The Griffons are outscoring opponents 115-61 in the second half.
• Three different players average over 60 yards rushing per game for the Griffons.
• Shamar Griffith continues to be one of the most explosive players in the conference and averages 7.1 yards per carry on his 61 attempts.
• Dom Marino has completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,047 yards.
• Brandin Dandridge is one of the most dangerous punt returners in the country. His 15.1 yards per return is ninth in all of NCAA Division II.
• Dandridge also leads the MIAA in interceptions (4) and pass breakups (12).
• Keylan Mack leads the team with 25 receptions for 286 receiving yards.

 
SCOUTING THE HORNETS

• Emporia State has beaten Central Missouri and Fort Hays State in back-to-back weeks.
• While the Hornets have more pass attempts than anyone in the MIAA, it has not necessarily translated into turnovers. They lead the conference with nearly 70 pass attempts per interception.
• Jace McDown is second in the MIAA with 72 total tackles.
• Landon Nault is the primary running back for the Hornets and leads the MIAA with 621 yards rushing.
• Tyler Harris and Justin Brown each have over 400 yards receiving this season.
• Emporia State goes for it on fourth down more than any other team in the conference and has only attempted one field goal all season.
• The Hornets are allowing the second-most passing yards of any defense in the MIAA at 255 yards per game.

 
THIS SERIES

• Missouri Western holds a 24-16 lead in the all-time series.
• Emporia State edged the Griffons 30-27 in their meeting last season.
• Missouri Western will be looking for its first win against Emporia State since 2012.

 
MISSOURI WESTERN COACH MATT WILLIAMSON

• 2^nd season at MWSU and 2^nd overall as a head coach
• 8-10 all-time record as a head coach
• 1996 Missouri Western Graduate
• Two-time All-MIAA defensive lineman

 
EMPORIA STATE HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS

• 12^th season as head coach at Emporia State
• Record of 57-26 in last seven years after going 19-36 in his first five seasons
• Led Hornets to NCAA Division II playoffs four times
• Played quarterback at Emporia State from 1987-1990