TEXARKANA, Ark. – Griffon Football (7-5) jumped out to an early lead and hung on to win the 2018 Agent Barry Live United Bowl, 30-25 over Southern Arkansas (8-4).
 
Outstanding special teams and crucial plays on both sides of the ball helped Missouri Western to its first seven-win season since 2014. Senior kicker Tyler Basch was named the Agent Barry Live United Bowl MVP after going three-for-three on field goal attempts including a Live United Bowl record 58-yard field goal at the end of the first half. Basch's bowl record breaking kick tied the Missouri Western record.
 
NOTABLES

• Missouri Western led 20-0 at halftime, but the Southern Arkansas offense started to click in the second half
• The Griffon lead was down to eight (27-19) with 11:25 to play, but Basch capped an 11-play, 64-yard drive that took more than five minutes off the clock with a 27-yard field goal to put MWSU up 30-19 with 5:58 to go
• Southern Arkansas would score again, but failed to convert its third two-point try of the game to make the score 30-25 with 1:48 left
• Missouri Western recovered the ensuing onside kick and left Southern Arkansas with just forty seconds on the clock and the ball at its own 13-yard line. The Griffon defense held to clinch the game for the Griffons
• It was the program's first postseason victory since defeating Henderson State in the second round of the 2012 playoffs and the first bowl win since the 2009 Mineral Water Bowl
• The special teams were fantastic for the Griffons with Kyle Dumler blocking a first half field goal attempt, Shamar Griffith blocking a punt, Luke Theis pinning Southern Arkansas inside its own 20 three times and Sam Aviles averaging 61 yards per kickoff with four touchbacks. Southern Arkansas also had a muffed snap on its first punt attempt of the game and Brandin Dandridge had a highlight reel punt return touchdown called back due to offsetting penalties.
• Missouri Western held a powerful Southern Arkansas offense to just 120 first half yards, but the Muleriders added 321 in the second half
• The Griffon defense held Southern Arkansas to 96 rushing yards on 31 carries while the Griffon offense rushed for 116 on 28 carries

 
LEADERS

• James Bailey Jr. had two rushing touchdowns on 10 carries for 45 yards
• Dom Marino was 13-for-23 through the air for 211 yards and a touchdown
• Joe Horn Jr. and Carlos Thompson each had three catches
• Shamar Griffith led the team with 57 receiving yards
• Jabbar Miles and Kobe Cummings each had 12 tackles to lead the team
• Cummings also broke up two passes