JOPLIN, Mo. -- After providing a spark in the second half against Pittsburg State last week,
Reagan Jones lit up the field on Saturday afternoon, rushing for three touchdowns and passing for another as Missouri Western powered to a 45-28 win over Missouri Southern.
After looking a bit out of sorts on the first play of the game, giving up a 56-yard pass, Missouri Western locked in on defense and held the Lions to a field goal. The Griffons answered with a 56-yard play of their own as Jones ran untouched through the line, made a slight cutback in the MSSU secondary and trotted into the endzone.
The Missouri Western defense stepped up again on the next drive, with
Evan Chohon stripping Nathan Glades at the end of a 10-yard rush, and
Sam Webb dove on the ball at the 46-yard line. The Griffons rolled 54 yards over 10 plays, with Traveon Harris capping off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush with just under five minutes to play in the first.
Missouri Southern was able to close the gap to 17-14 at the half, but a 40-yard touchdown catch by
Cooper Burton and a 20-yard rushing TD by Jones gave Missouri Western breathing room in the third quarter.
The Lions threatened briefly as the third quarter came to a close; Dawson Herl connected with JarMichael Cooper for a 32-yard pass to pull MSSU within 10, then forced a fumble on Missouri Western's next drive and started on the 38-yard line.
Kobe Cummings and C.J. Blakeney sparked a big stand for the Griffon defense, stuffing Jeremy Brown for a two-yard loss and forcing Missouri Southern to punt.
Missouri Western answered with an 89-yard drive to extend to a 38-21 lead, then after a missed field goal by Missouri Southern, drove 80 yards to put the game well out of reach at 45-21.
Brandon Hall capped off the drive with a seven-yard rush.
The Griffons exploded for 412 rushing yards on the afternoon and tied a program record with 32 first downs. Missouri Western has twice recorded 32 first downs, last in 2008 against Washburn and previously in 1979 against William Jewell.
Missouri Western returns to Spratt Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 6, hosting Central Missouri in a 1 p.m. kickoff. Prior to the game, the Griffons will celebrate Senior Day, recognizing the contributions of seven student-athletes who are finishing their careers in Black and Gold.
