ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Missouri Western took down the Lions of Missouri Southern on Saturday, honoring the 2022 Hall of Fame class with a 31-27 win at Spratt Stadium.
Reagan Jones finished the game 16-for-21, throwing for 196 yards.
Jonas Bennett rushed for a career-high 128 yards, and Jared Scott finished with two touchdowns to celebrate his birthday bash.
The Griffons (4-5, 4-5 MIAA) got the scoring started on the first drive of the game. A flea-flicker led to Jones finding Missouri Southern transfer
Ty Harvey for a 41-yard gain, going out of bounds at the two-yard line. Jared Scott punched the ball in on the next play, and a
Cody Watson extra point gave the Griffons a 7-0 lead.
The Lions took the ball down the field in an 11 play, 5:51 minute drive that ended in a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Griffons would punt on their ensuing possession, and MSSU found two 30+ yard passes to score. A blocked extra point brought the score to 13-7.
Missouri Western regained the lead at the 5:53 mark in the second quarter after the Griffons put together a 12 play, 80-yard drive, aided by three MSSU offsides penalties.
Titus McCoy capped the drive off with a four-yard touchdown rush, and Watson put his second extra point of the game through.
The Griffons got the ball back again before halftime, scoring on a Jones touchdown rush from 22 yards out. Watson added the extra point, giving the Griffons a 21-13 lead.
The Lions (4-5, 4-5 MIAA) had a chance to put points on the board, but a missed field goal kept the score 21-13 at half. Missouri Southern scored on the first drive of the second half, and a two-point conversion tied the score at 21.
Watson gave the Griffons the lead with a 29-yard field goal with 8:19 left in the third quarter. Scott scored from 23 yards out to bring the score to 31-21 with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter.
A Jones fumble and ensuing 34-yard touchdown pass brought the Lions to within a touchdown, but another missed extra point kept the score to 31-27. A long 7:57 minute drive put the game to bed for the Griffons, with the score finishing at 31-27.
NOTABLES
- Kobe Cummings is now tied for fifth all-time in Missouri Western history with 274.
- Bennett recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game.
- The Griffons rushed for 300 yards for the first time since week two, rushing for 310.
- Missouri Western has now won nine games in a row against the Lions, dating back to 2013.
- Scott finished with two rushing touchdowns for the third time in his career.
- The Griffons out-gained MSSU 506-386.
UP NEXT
The Griffons head to Warrensburg to take on Central Missouri (3-6, 3-6 MIAA) on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
