Missouri Western Throttles Pitt St. in the Jungle
By: Matthew Tritten
Updated: October 21, 2012
(PITTSBURG, Ks.) Missouri Western felt the sting of its first loss of the season one week ago against Missouri Southern, and refused to go through that same pain Saturday against #7 Pittsburg State.
The #16 Griffons (7-1) ripped off 56 consecutive points against the Gorillas (5-2) on their way to a 63-14 beat down of their MIAA rival.
Pittsburg State got on the scoreboard just over six minutes into the game on a touchdown pass from Anthony Abenoja to John Brown to go ahead 7-0.
The Western defense tightened, and did not allow another score for nearly three quarters.
Quarterback Travis Partridge sparked the Griffon offense throwing touchdown passes, one to Michael Hill for 48 yards and another to Derek Libby for 64 yards, on back-to-back drives to give them the lead for good.
Partridge finished the afternoon completing 9-14 passes for 213 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, a solid showing after his final pass the week before against Southern was picked off ending Western's comeback.
Defensive end David Bass also had a monster game.
Ahead 14-7 in the first half, Bass intercepted Abenoja and ran it back 55 yards for the touchdown.
It was Bass' first interception of the season. He also tallied 2.5 sacks on the afternoon.
Running back Michael Hill was back in his old form in Pittsburg rushing for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hill's backup Raphael Spencer even found the end zone to go along with his 64 rush yards.
The defending national champions have now lost two straight. Northwest beat Pitt State 31-21 a week ago.
The Griffons do not have long to celebrate the win. They play at undefeated Emporia State Thursday evening.
