| 10/9/2010 12:00:00 AM
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (MWSU Sports Information)
– 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 new school record 412 yards as
Western improves to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in MIAA action. Newhart
broke the old mark of 410 which was held by Kasey Waterman. 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.
Missouri Western will return to MIAA action on Saturday, October
16 when they travel to Warrensburg, Mo. to take on the 12th ranked
University of Central Missouri Mules. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm in
Audrey J. Walton Stadium on Vernon Kennedy Field.