THIS WEEK IN GRIFFON FOOTBALL
Missouri Western (3-2) at Missouri Southern (0-5)
Saturday, Oct. 6 | 2:00 p.m. | Fred G. Hughes Stadium | Joplin, Missouri
 
ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Football heads to Joplin, Missouri this Saturday in search of its third-straight victory and first road win of the season. It will be homecoming at Missouri Southern as the Lions and Griffons kickoff at 2 p.m., Saturday.
 
5 THINGS TO WATCH

• The Griffon offense led by reigning MIAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week Dom Marino put up 1,156 yards and 104 points the last two weeks. The Griffons punted a total of five times the last two weeks and were 21-of-29 on 3^rd down. Missouri Southern has allowed two of the three highest offensive yard totals in the MIAA this season (731 at UCM and 653 vs Fort Hays State).
• The Griffon red zone defense ranks fourth in the MIAA, allowing opponents to score on 71 percent of their trips to the red zone. Opponents have scored touchdowns on just 47 percent of their red zone trips and the secondary has made a habit of picking off opponent passes into the red zone. Five of MWSU's eight interceptions have come inside its own 20-yard line. All three of Jabbar Miles picks have come inside the MWSU-5
• When Missouri Southern passes watch for the Griffons ball hawking secondary. The Griffons are tied for the MIAA lead with eight interceptions after four against Washburn. Brandin Dandridge leads the MIAA with four and Jabbar Miles is tied for second with three. Missouri Southern's seven thrown interceptions are the second most in the MIAA.
• For the most part, the Griffon rushing attack remains a by committee approach with four different players having at least 35 attempts, but James Bailey Jr. has managed back-to-back 100-yard performances on the ground. The redshirt freshman averaged 8.8 yards per rush over the last two games, totaling 290 yards and two scores. He ranks sixth in the MIAA with 338 rushing yards, one of three Griffons in the top-11 of the MIAA.
• Dom Marino also has also put together great back-to-back performances. The senior quarterback accounted for seven touchdowns and 538 total yards of offense the last two weeks. Marino was named MIAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week after his 314 total yards of offense, four passing touchdowns and one rushing TD last week against Washburn. Marino is second among MIAA quarterbacks and eighth overall with 294 rushing yards.

 
SCOUTING THE GRIFFONS (3-2)

• Missouri Western won its second-straight last Saturday in impressive fashion, 38-7 over Washburn to move to 3-0 at home
• The Griffons are looking for their first road win with losses at Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri in their two games away from home
• James Bailey Jr. leads the team with 338 yards rushing and a 6.4-yard per carry average
• Dom Marino is completing 57 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns and just one interception, tied for fewest in the MIAA
• Keylan Mack's 19 receptions and 225 receiving yards lead the team
• The Griffons rank fourth in the MIAA, averaging 213 rushing yards per game and second in rush defense, allowing just 102 on the ground
• The Griffon offensive line has allowed just four sacks all season, fewest in the MIAA
• Missouri Western is +5 in turnover margin with eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Marino's one interception is the only thrown by a Griffon this season. The team has lost four fumbles
• The offense ranks ninth in the nation in red zone offense, scoring on 94 percent of trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line
• Brandin Dandridge ranks eighth in the nation and leads the MIAA with four interceptions

 
SCOUTING THE LIONS (0-5)

• Missouri Southern is coming off a 61-7 loss at then No. 19 Central Missouri
• The Lions have been outscored 275-40 this season
• Dalton James leads the team with 265 rushing yards
• Three different quarterbacks have started games for the Lions this season. Sean Kelly's 4-1 passing yards are the most on the team. LeEarl Patterson has all three of the team's passing touchdowns
• Paul Wolff is 4-for-4 on field goal attempts and four-for-four on point after attempts

 
THE SERIES

• The Griffons lead 25-23 all-time and have won the last five
• Missouri Western defeated Missouri Southern 45-7 in St. Joseph last year
• The Griffons won 51-14 at Missouri Southern in 2016, their last trip to Joplin

 
MISSOURI WESTERN HEAD COACH MATT WILLIAMSON

• 2^nd season at MWSU and 2^nd overall as a head coach
• 7-9 all-time record as a head coach
• 1996 Missouri Western Graduate
• Two-time All-MIAA defensive lineman

 
MISSOURI SOUTHERN INTERIM HEAD COACH JOE BETASSO

• Named interim head coach on Sept. 18 after the resignation of Denver Johnson
• Spent the last three seasons as the defensive coordinator at McKendree University
• Was head coach at McPherson College (2010-11)
• Four-year letter winner at defensive back for Missouri Southern