| 12/5/2009 12:00:00 AM

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS, Mo. (MWSU Sports Information) - The Missouri Western football team revenged last year's 37-16 Mineral Water Bowl loss to the Augustana College by defeating the Vikings 34-21 in this years bowl game held in Excelsior Springs, Mo. With the victory the Griffons improve to 5-2 all-time in Mineral Water Bowl games. Western finished the season with a 9-3 overall record. The Griffons have won a team record nine games in five of the last seven seasons.

The Griffon defensive front played very well in the first half as they held the Vikings to just 35 rushing yards on 22 carries. The Griffons also had three sacks to go along with six tackles for a loss. Redshirt freshman defensive end David Bass had an outstanding first frame as he had three tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for a loss, one interception and one pass break-up.
 
Bass's interception in the first quarter helped set up the Griffons first score of the game as Michael Hill went in from four yards out giving the Griffons the 7-0 lead. Western would keep up the pressure forcing the Vikings into turnovers and punt situations. The Griffons scored two more touchdowns when Drew Newhart hooked up with Adam Clausen from six yards out capping off a five play 33 yard drive. Newhart hooked up with Cedric Houston for the 15th time this season on a 55 yard scoring play with 8:08 left in the second quarter putting Western up 21-0. Houston's reception broke Terren Adams (1992 - 14 TD) old record for the most touchdown receptions in a season as he has 15 on the year.

The Vikings used big plays to get back into the game when Luke Butler hooked up with Same Holsen on an 81 yard pitch and catch to cut the Griffons lead to 21-7 with 7:21 remaining in the half. Western put together a seven play 38 yard drive with Brad Beckwith connecting on a 40 yard field goal giving Western the 24-7 lead with under a minute to play in the half. Holsen responded with another big play when he took a Beckwith kickoff back 76 yards to the Griffons two yard line. Two plays later Adam Diamond plunged in from two yards out cutting Western's lead to 24-14 at the half.
 
Western had 183 yards at the half with 110 through the air and 73 on the ground. Newhart finished the half with 110 yards connecting on 8-of-18 passes with two touchdowns. Michael Hill finished the half with 41 yards on five carries and a touchdown while Houston had two catches for 75 yards and one touchdown. The Vikings finished with 175 yards with 140 through the air. Butler finished the half with 140 yards on 7-of-20 through the air with one touchdown and one interception. Holsen had two receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown.

Deondre Williams and Sean Glades had five tackles apiece while Eric Bergman led the Vikings with five tackles and two tackles for a loss.
In the second half the Griffons outscored the Vikings 10-7 as Clausen caught his second touchdown of the game with 8:05 remaining in the third quarter. Beckwith would put the final touches on the game when he hit a 21 yard field goal with 1:27 remaining in the game. Western improves their record 1-1-1 all time against the Vikings.

Western finished with 322 yards of total offense with 213 coming through the air and 109 on the ground. Newhart finished with 213 yards on 16-of-35 and three touchdowns. Hodges finished the game with 69 yards on 24 carries while Hill finished with 44 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Clausen finished with 56 yards on six receptions and two touchdowns while Houston finished with 107 yards on four catches and one touchdown.

Augustana finished with 313 yards of total offense with 201 coming through the air and 112 on the ground. Nate Mahone led the Vikings on the ground with 84 yards on 14 carries. Butler completed 10-of-28 passes for 201 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions while Holsen finished with 144 yards with four catches and one touchdown.

The Griffons defense finished with six sacks on the day and nine tackles for a loss. Sean Whiters finished the game with eight tackles while Bass finished with seven tackles and one and a half sacks. B McMichael and Chris Janisch led the Vikings with 13 tackles apiece.

Drew Newhart was named the Offensive MVP while David Bass was named the Defensive MVP for the Griffons.

The Griffons will return to action in the spring when they participate in spring drills. Western will start fall practice in August 2010 as they return everyone but ten seniors.