WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Berwald-Carey connection that accounted for three touchdowns in the second half helped the Griffons (3-4, 2-4 MIAA) snap a three-game losing skid with a 38-28 at Central Missouri (3-3, 1-3) on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Mules struck first in the opening drive of the game with a seven-yard passing score from Zach Zebrowski to Jake Zippe. MWSU answered with a 49-yard field goal from Cody Watson in the ensuing drive to make the score 7-3.
 
The Griffon defense stood tall in the opening quarter, forcing two turnovers. The first turnover occurred at 5:42 of the opening quarter after Antonio Taylor recovered a fumble that was mishandled by Christian Davis. Their second takeaway was junior Logan Clark's first career interception at 2:42.
 
In the second quarter, UCM extended their lead to two scores with a 12-yard reception from Derrick Rose, but the Griffs didn't let it faze them. Branden Berwald and Jonas Bennett answered strongly with a 50-yard touchdown, eventually cutting the lead to three with a two-point conversion hauled in by Traveon James.
 
Central Missouri was driving late and had a first-and-goal opportunity with less than a minute remaining in the half. However, Clark notched his second interception of the game, which swung the momentum back in favor of MWSU. With the help of 44 yards rushing and a UCM personal foul, Watson was able to drive through a 31-yard field goal, tying the game at 14-14.
 
It didn't take long for the Missouri Western to find pay dirt in the second half, as Berwald found Tyler Carey for 68 yards on the opening play to give MWSU its first lead of the afternoon. Watson later added his third field goal from 29 yards out to put the Griffs up by 10 late in the quarter.
 
The two teams went blow-for-blow in the fourth quarter, with the Mules scoring from a yard out before Carey added his second score of the contest after collecting a 36-yard strike from Berwald. The duo's final touchdown connection occurred at the 6:43 mark of the fourth quarter, following Desmond Green's third interception of the season that halted the Mules previous drive. 
 
Central Missouri attempted to rally late with a touchdown, but a heavy dose of Griffon ground and pound led by Rickie Dunn and Marrell Fountain put the game on ice, securing Western's first win over Central Missouri in Warrensburg since 2013.
 
Missouri Western's offensive was humming all afternoon. They outgained Central Missouri 512 to 431, a season-high in total yards. Additionally, they controlled the time of possession with 34:07 minutes and recorded 27 first downs. 
 
In his second start of the season, Berwald finished with a career-high 379 passing yards, throwing four touchdowns and one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 93 yards on 18 attempts.
 
Carey led the game with six catches for 178 yards and tied a school record with three touchdown receptions, extending his season total to six touchdowns. Bennett added six catches for 131 yards, marking his third straight game reaching the century mark.
 
The Griffon defense forced four turnovers on the afternoon, highlighted by Clark's two-interception game. Kameron Langford led the defense with 10 tackles, while Garrett Watson tallied a sack for MWSU.
 
Western will close out the regular season at home beginning next Saturday against Nebraska-Kearney at 2:00 p.m. from Spratt Stadium. Homecoming weekend against the Lopers will be the MIAA Game of the Week, which will be broadcast locally on 38 The Spot. Pregame coverage with Tommy Rezac will begin an hour before kickoff on the Varsity Network App and GoGriffons.com/listen.