JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Western State Football together a 280-yard showing on the ground, including 170 yards from Seth Cromwell, and four rushing touchdowns, but fell 47-41 in double overtime to Missouri Southern on Saturday afternoon on the road at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The Lions improved to 5-6 on the year and 4-6 in Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play, while the Griffons fell to 8-3 overall and 7-3 in conference matchups.
Missouri Western got on the scoreboard first with 10:02 remaining in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead thanks to a 3-yard TD run by Cromwell. Missouri Southern then tied it up at 7-7 before the Griffons responded with a one-yard touchdown rush from Cromwell to retake the lead at 14-7.
Missouri Western kept Missouri Southern off the scoreboard and increased its lead to 21-7 with 10:04 left in the second quarter thanks to a 4-yard run by Brandon Hall. The Griffons continued to increase their lead with a 29-yard field goal by Cody Watson, scoring again to go up 24-7.
After Southern made it a 24-13 game at halftime, MWSU scored again with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Cromwell to make the score 31-13. The Lions then rallied, tallying seven points before the Griffons responded with a field goal to extend their lead to 34-20.
The Lions went on a 14-0 run to force overtime before taking a 41-34, cementing a 21-0 burst. Missouri Western brought the count level in the first overtime on their final score of the game, tying it up at 41 on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Armani Edden to Jake Berrey. However, Southern picked off Edden on the next drive, punctuating the game with a score on the final possession of the game.
Cromwell led all Griffons rushers with a career-high 170 yards and three touchdowns in the contest, picking up 5.3 yards per carry. Brandon Hall also added 71 yards and one touchdown on the ground, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Edden's most prolific target in the ballgame was Berrey, who caught four passes for 52 yards and one score.
Brayden Wright showed out for the Missouri Western defense, recording five tackles and one interception. Jaden Brown added one tackle for a loss, one sack and one forced fumble.
Missouri Western put together a stellar showing on the ground, logging 280 rushing yards while averaging 5.1 yards per carry and out-rushing MSouthern by 252 yards. Missouri Western converted on 40 percent of third-down attempts on the day. The Griffons also went 1-for-1 on fourth down.
Missouri Western's defense was dominant against the run, limiting Missouri Southern to just 28 yards on the ground.
GAME NOTES
- Missouri Western outgained Missouri Southern 420-402, including a 280-28 advantage on the ground.
- Missouri Western had its highest-scoring quarter in the second period when the Griffs put up 17 points.
- Missouri Western converted 6-of-15 third downs while Missouri Southern was successful on 5-of-12.
- Evan Williams punted three times for the Griffons with an average of 45.7 yards per punt while pinning the Lions inside their own 20 one time.
- Missouri Western went 1-for-1 on fourth down, converting on 100 percent of attempts.
- The Griffons didn't allow a sack in the contest.
- Missouri Western won the time of possession battle 36:53 to 23:07.
- Luke Sampson led the Lion passing attack, completing 24 of his 36 attempts for 374 yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
- Jaedon Stoshak was Missouri Southern's leading receiver with 112 yards and one touchdown.
UP NEXT
Missouri Western awaits its postseason fate.
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