Box Score

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – A relatively young and untested Northern State University football squad ran into a relatively veteran and battle-hardened Missouri Western State University football team on Thursday night and it was the Wolves who came away with the most battle scars, as the Griffons rolled to a 49-14 victory to open the 2009 season at MWSU’s Spratt Stadium.

The Griffons scored on their first four possessions while all but two of their ten first-half possessions ended in touchdowns, leading to a comfortable 49-7 lead at the half.  The Wolves scored their lone touchdown of the first half late in the first quarter after the NSU defense held on a 3-and-out possession, forcing MWSU to send in the punt team.  The snap, however, sailed over the head of Austin Barnes where it was recovered by NSU’s Calvin McGruder at the MWSU 12 yard-line.  McGruder scooped up the loose ball and ran it into the endzone to put the Wolves on the board.

After a scoreless third quarter, NSU added a second TD late in the second half on a trick play when junior wide-out John Michael Migdal completed a 19-yard strike to fellow receiver Trent DesLauriers on a 1st-and-10 play from the 19-yardline.

MWSU missed one of their few scoring opportunities in the second half as kicker Brad Beckwith hit the upright on a 43-yard field goal attempt with 33 seconds left in the game.

The Griffons, participants in last year’s Mineral Water Bowl, one of two officially sanctioned Division II bowl games, racked up 438 yards of total offense.  Quarterback Drew Newhart completed 10 of 14 passes for 134 yards and five TDs, tying a Griffon record for most TD passes in one game.  Backup quarterback Barron Bradshaw was just as efficient, connecting on 9 of 11 attempts for 117 yards and a score, while running back Thomas Hodges had 13 carries for 94 yards.

NSU quarterback Joei Fiegler was 11-for-27 passing for 69 yards, but had a pair of costly interceptions.  DesLauriers caught five balls for 71 yards, including the 19-yard TD reception from Migdal.  Senior Brian Jark inched closer to a place in NSU football history with his three catches on the night.  Jark needs just three more receptions move into sole possession of first place on NSU’s career receptions chart.

The Wolves make their 2009 home debut next Saturday as they take to Swisher Field to take on Winona State in a 1 p.m. match-up.  That game also represents the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opener for both teams.  Winona State defeated #9 Carson Newman College (Tenn.) Thursday 17-12 in Winona, Minn.