ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Griffon Football (1-2, 0-1 MIAA) came up short in a 34-26 battle with Central Missouri at Spratt Stadium on Saturday in the first MIAA game of the season.
MoWest got off to a fast start, leading 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, thanks in part to a two-yard touchdown run by running back
Rickie Dunn.
UCM (1-2, 1-0 MIAA) struck back with 24 second quarter points in all - at one point leading 21-13 with 1:20 left before halftime.
After UCM scored a touchdown to go up by eight points, MWSU's
Jaelon Dixon returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a TD, but a two-point conversion attempt to tie the game failed, making the score 21-19 with 1:02 to go in the second quarter.
The Mules tacked on a field goal to end the half, leading 24-19 at intermission.
After both teams went three-and-out to start the second half, UCM put together an 83-yard scoring drive to lead 31-19 with 10:19 remaining in the third. The Mules added another field goal to up 34-19 with 5:58 left in the third.
MWSU rallied, putting together a six-minute scoring drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by
Jayden Williams, making it a 34-26 game with 14:55 left in the game.
UCM then went on a long drive of their own and milked nearly seven minutes of clock. The Mules were driving into Griffon territory, but a strip sack by MWSU's
Drew Scott, and the ensuing recovery by
Brayden Evertsen, gave MoWest new life, putting the Griffs at the UCM 49-yard line with still eight minutes to go.
MoWest got all the way to Mules' nine-yard line, but a failed 4
th down try stopped the drive short, and the Mules were able to run out nearly the rest of the remaining time, taking back over with 1:52 to play.
Kane Donovan led the MoWest offense with 243 passing yards, completing 27-of-46 passes.
Brandon Hall was the lead rusher, turning in a season-best 94 yards on 17 carries.
Gyasi Smith was the lead receiver, hauling in four passes for 107 yards – both career-highs.
Khristian Turner led the MWSU defense with eight total tackles and two pass breakups.
Khalid Sereal had a solo sack.
UCM's quarterback, Jordan Pachot, completed 33-of-51 for 401 yards and three touchdowns.
MoWest is back on the road next week, Saturday, September 27, to face Fort Hays State (2-2, 0-1 MIAA). Kickoff from Lewis Field Stadium in Hays, Kansas is set for 7 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on the Griffon Sports Network (GoGriffons.com/listen, Varsity Network App). FHSU lost at No. 18 Pittsburg State Saturday, 31-16.
