The Missouri Western football team was held scoreless in the second half as they would fall 30-21 to the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Senior Day. The Griffons end their regular season 8-3 overall and 6-3 in MIAA play.
Western opened up the contest with a big play from Thomas Madget as he intercepted a Greg Wunderlich pass and scampered in from 60 yards out to put the Griffons up 7-0. The Mavericks got the ground game going on the very next series going 82 yards on seven plays with Duane Bowen pounding it in from six yards out tying the score at seven.
Western responed when Drew Newhart connected with Cedric Houston from 66 yards out to put the Griffons up 14-7 with 7:13 left in the first quarter. Houston’s reception tied him with Terren Adams (1992)for the most touchdown receptions in a season with 14.
The Mavericks answered once again when Hawthorne scored his second touchdown from 13 yards out cutting the lead to 14-13 after a blocked extra point by Brad Davidson.
Western scored their final touchdown of the game when Newhart found Adam Clausen all alone in the corner of the end zone to put the Griffons up 21-13 with 10:49 left in the first half. The Mavericks cut the lead to 21-16 at the half after Greg Zuerlein hit a 33 yard field goal.
In the second half, The Mavericks took the lead for good when Matt Ajuoga intercepted a Newhart pass and scampered in from 29 yards out to put the Mavericks up 23-21. Western’s offense struggled the rest of the game as the Mavericks put the final touches on the game when Bowen ran in from one yard out giving them the nine point lead.
Now the Griffons must await their fate as the Division II regional rankings are released on Sunday at 2pm. Western must finish in the top six of regional rankings to qualify for the playoffs. The Griffons were ranked fifth heading into this week.