Head Coach Jerry Partridge earned his 100th career victory on Homecoming with a 29-7 victory over the Truman State Bulldogs. Senior wide receiver Andrew Mead had a career high nine catches for a career high 166 yards and one touchdown. Senior quarterback Drew Newhart threw for a career high 412 yards as Western improves to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in MIAA action. This marks the second straight season the Griffons have started 5-1.
Newhart led the Griffons down the field on the first drive of the contest. Newhart completed his first six passes and went 6-of-9 on the first drive. Western went up 3-0 when Brad Beckwith connected on a 23 yard field goal with 8:39 to play in the first quarter.
The Griffons went up 10-0 early in the second quarter on a six yard touchdown run from Michael Hill capping off an eight play 80 yard drive. The Bulldogs forced a fumble on the next Griffon drive taking over on the Western 40 yard line. Phillip Davis capped off the drive plunging in from two yards out with 3:38 to play in the half.
Western put three more points on the board before the half was over when Beckwith connected on a 24 yard field goal as time expired. Western gained 238 yards with 198 coming through the air. Newhart connected on 16-of-22 passes with six going to Mead. Terrell Downing caught five passes for 54 yards. Hill and rushed for 24 yards on nine carries while Thomas Hodges went for 23 yards on six carries.
The Bulldogs gained 116 yards with 81 coming on the ground. Davis led the way with 26 yards on seven carries. David Bass led the Griffons with four tackles while the Bulldogs were led by Michael Elliott with nine five being solo. Davis opened the game completing his first three passes and closed the half missing his last five.
The Griffons defense stepped up in the second half holding the Bulldogs scoreless. Western scored 17 second half points with Newhart connecting with Mead for a 73 yard pitch and catch opening up the scoring with 7:06
to play in the third quarter, putting Western up 19-7. This marked the longest catch for Mead in his career.
The Griffons tacked on a field goal early in the four quarter as Beckwith nailed a 32 yarder with 14:50 to play in the game. Beckwith is now 9-of-10 on field goals this season. Western put the finishing touches on the Bulldogs when Newhart found junior tight end David Fowler
from 31 yards out putting Western up 29-7 with 5:07 to play.
The Griffon defense shut down the Bulldogs the rest of the way earning the victory. Western outgained the Bulldogs 495 to 245 with 413 yards coming through the air. Newhart finished going 25-of-35 for two touchdowns. Downing had six catches for 71 yards while Hill led the
rushing attack with 46 yards on 18 carries.
The Bulldogs had 184 yards on the ground with Davis leading the way with 54 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown. Dallas Grier caught two passes for 29 yards. Punter Eric Phillips had seven puts for an average of 41.9 yards with a long of 51. Truman falls to 2-4 overall and 0-4 in MIAA action. Bass led the defense with a career high 11 tackles, nine being solo. He also had one sack in the game. Elliot had 12 tackles with seven being solo for Truman State.
Story courtesy of Missouri Western Athletics.
