Missouri Western football exploded for 49 first half points as they routed the Northern State University Wolves in their 2009 season opener 49-14. Western  racked up 438 yards of total offense in the game.

Redshirt junior quarterback Drew Newhart threw five touchdowns to five different receivers as he finished 10-of-14 passes for 134 yards. Newhart’s five touchdown passes ties the Missouri Western single game record. With the victory the Griffons won their season opener for the sixth straight season.  

The Griffons opened up the contest going 55 yards on seven plays with David Fowler finishing the drive off, on a nine yard reception from Newhart. The touchdown marked the first career touchdown for Fowler.

Newhart would continue to find open receivers throughout the first quarter as he connected with Adam Clausen on a 30 yard pitch and catch and Cedric Houston from 24 yards out before the first quarter ended.  

Redshirt freshman running back Michael Hill scored his first career touchdown and the Griffons fourth touchdown of the game from two yards out with 2:49 left in the first quarter. Northern State finally got on the board with 11 second left in the first quarter when the long snap went over freshman punter Austin Barnes and Northern’s Calvin McGruder picked up the ball and scampered in from 12 yards out to make it 28-7. 

The Griffons would continue to score at ease in the second quarter as they would put up 21 unanswered points to go into the half with the huge lead, 49-7. In the second quarter Newhart would find Clausen from 14 yards out and Ferrell McGhee from eight yards out to put the Griffons up 42-7 with 8:14 left before half. Backup quarterback Barron Bradshaw would finish off the first half scoring when he connected on a 68 yard scoring strike with Houston with 4:03 left before the half.

Story courtesy of Missouri Western athletics