EMPORIA, Kan. – Griffon Football (5-3) scored 22 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to come from behind and win 42-28 at Emporia State (4-4), Saturday afternoon. The team's first second half comeback win of the season gave Missouri Western its fifth win of the season, exceeding the win totals from the previous two seasons.
 
Down 28-20 entering the fourth quarter, the comeback started quick. James Bailey Jr. rushed in for his third touchdown of the game on the third play of the final quarter. Dom Marino hit Donnell Hawkins to complete a two-point conversion and tie the game at 28. It was all Griffons from there as the defense shut out an Emporia State offense that had scored 21-straight points to take the 28-20 lead. Bailey Jr. added his fourth rushing touchdown of the game with 3:48 left that gave back the lead to MWSU. Hawkins iced it with a four-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining.
 
NOTABLES

• It was the Griffons' first come-from-behind win since Sept. 23 of last season (41-37 vs Central Oklahoma)
• The win snapped a streak of five-straight losses to Emporia State
• Missouri Western had led in the fourth quarter in three of those previous five losses to ESU
• MWSU has now outscored opponents 97-20 in the fourth quarter this season
• The Griffons moved into a three-way tie for third place in the MIAA with Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State
• For a fifth-straight game, Missouri Western rushed from more than 250 yards, going for 260 and six rushing TDs on the Hornets
• MWSU out-gained the potent Emporia State offense, 416-395

 
LEADERS

• Dom Marino completed 64 percent of his passes to 10 different receivers for 156 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown, but also didn't throw an interception and was not sacked
• James Bailey Jr. had four rushing touchdowns and 81 rushing yards, averaging 5.8 yards per carry
• Shamar Griffth rushed 17 times for 71 yards
• Donnell Hawkins averaged 9.6 yards on seven carries for 67 yards
• Kobe Cummings led the team once again with 10 total tackles
• Jabbar Miles had nine total tackles
• Vayante Copeland assisted on two sacks
• Markel Fluker had a solo sack
• James Huskey and Marcus Brown each had a half sack

 
UP NEXT

• The Rogers Pharmacy Hall of Fame Game Oct. 27 against Pittsburg State (5-3) at 1 p.m.
• Pittsburg State snapped a two-game skid with a 48-28 win over Central Missouri, Saturday