GRIFFON FOOTBALL AT CENTRAL MISSOURI
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 | 1 PM | WALTON STADIUM/KENNEDY FIELD | WARRENSBURG, MO
 
ST. JOSEPH – Coming off the program's biggest win in six years, Griffon Football (1-1) travels to Warrensburg, Missouri, for a match-up with Central Missouri (1-1) this Saturday.
 
Last Thursday, Missouri Western knocked off defending MIAA champion and No. 5-ranked Fort Hays State, 23-13. It was the first win over a top-5 team for the Griffons since the defacto MIAA championship game in 2012 against No. 4-ranked Northwest Missouri. It was the first win over a ranked opponent for the program since defeating Washburn in 2013. The Griffons never trailed, Thursday, using key turnovers and big special teams play to key the upset victory.
 
PREVIEWING MISSOURI WESTERN
Through two games, the defense has shined for the Griffons. The Griffons rank third in the MIAA in opponent first downs (36) and opponent third down conversion rate (36%). Missouri Western ranks second in the MIAA, allowing just 92 rushing yards per game. Teams have gained yards through the air on the Griffon defense, but they do it at their own risk as MWSU leads the MIAA with three interceptions through two games. Willie Washington and James Huskey are tied for the team lead with 14 total tackles. Huskey already has three tackles for loss this season. Jabbar Miles leads the team and the MIAA with his two interceptions last week against Fort Hays.
 
A balanced Griffon offense has spread the ball around through two games. Four Griffons have at least 16 carries with Dom Marino leading the team on the ground. The senior quarterback has rushed for 157 yards, going for close to 80 in each of the team's two games. Marino has one rushing touchdown. Derek Gray Jr. has the Griffons' other rushing TD. Through the air, Marino has distributed the ball to nine different Griffons for 304 yards. Keylan Mack leads the receiving corps with eight catches for 95 yards.
 
With a new punt returner, the Griffons sit second in the MIAA, averaging 18.9 yards per return and lead the conference with 132 total punt return yards. Brandin Dandridge set the Griffons up to take a 7-0 lead last week with a 58-yard punt return. Dandridge is second with a 20-yard per return average in the MIAA.
 
PREVIEWING CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Mules enter this Saturday 1-1 after bouncing back from a heartbreaking season opening loss at Fort Hays State with a dominant win over Northeastern State last week. Central Missouri lost starting quarterback Brook Bolles early in the second half at Fort Hays, but saw three different quarterbacks combine to pass for 314 yards and four touchdowns last week. UCM leads the MIAA, scoring 39 points per game and averaging 558 yards per game. The Mule run game ranks second in the MIAA, averaging 270 yards per contest and with six yards more passing yards per game than Fort Hays, UCM also leads the conference in passing offense at 289 yards per game.