Griffons Get First Playoff Win in Triple Overtime Thriller
By: Justin Sampson
Updated: November 18, 2012
(SAINT JOSEPH, Mo.) A historic 2012 season would not die for Missouri Western on Saturday.
After Minnesota-Duluth quarterback Chase Vogler had given the Griffons fits all day, a poorly-timed mistake sent Spratt Stadium into a frenzy.
The Bulldogs failed on a two-point conversion attempt in the third overtime period, allowing Missouri Western to notch their first playoff win in school history, 57-54.
The Griffons marched out to 14 straight points to start the afternoon, spurned by a Marc Harrison interception on the first play from scrimmage. Travis Partridge found Tyron Crockom for a 21-yard scoring strike before Reggie Jordan was the recipient of an eight-yard touchdown pass.
The Bulldog offense showed their potency in the first quarter, driving into the red zone, but settled for pair of Andrew Brees field goals to end the frame down 14-6. Brees missed a pair of attempts on the day, however, which proved critical down the stretch.
Minnesota-Duluth came back to pick up a pair of scores in the second quarter. Vogler found the end zone on a 15-yard keeper, followed by a 12-yard run by Austin Sikorski. The Bulldogs used that to take a 20-14 lead into halftime.
The teams traded touchdowns in the third frame as Vogler answered a 16-yard TD reception from Kyle Knox with a one-yard plunge past the goal line.
Down 28-21 heading into the fourth, Partridge notched two more of his seven scores on the day with runs from one and nine yards out. Sikorski also delivered another plunge from the one-yard line to end regulation with a 35-35 lock.
Sikorski and Partridge accounted for five of the six touchdowns in the three overtime periods. Michael Hill picked up the other one, a seven-yard run, in the first offensive series after regulation. He amassed 186 yards on 24 carries.
Per NCAA overtime rules, the Griffons were forced to go for the two-point conversion starting in the third overtime. After another one-yard run, Partridge connected with Jordan for the conversion.
Sikorski answered again with a three-yard touchdown run, but Vogler got tripped up in the backfield on the next play, failing to respond with a successful conversion.
Vogler picked up 184 yards on 29 carries and a pair of scores. He also went 14-of-20 passing for 195 yards. Partridge went 24-for-33 for 319 yards and 3 scores through the air. He also picked up another four scores on the ground to go along with 187 yards.
The two offenses combined for 1,147 total yards.
The Griffons move on to face Henderson State, the No. 2-seed in Super Region 3, next Saturday in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
