raderjd@lopers.unk.edu
UNK (6-4) ended Missouri Western State (7-3) six-game winning streak and outscored the Griffons 27-7 to close the game out, in a 49-21 win on Saturday afternoon in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
“I am genuinely proud of the team because we all overcame a tough loss,” said running back David Goodwin. “We started fast and were physical in all aspects.”
The Lopers set the tone right away and came out aggressively from the opening kickoff with a forced fumble by Kevin Wilson. Six plays later Luke Quinn scored on an eight-yard run.
MWSU responded with an 85-yard kickoff return for a 7-6 lead, but David Goodwin brought UNK back on top with a 12-yard touchdown run. Lynn decided to go for two and it turned out to be the right decision as Darrius Webb got into the endzone.
Up 14-7, the Lopers got another big run from Webb to begin the second quarter. On UNK’s second drive he broke free for 59-yards and the score on the first play to put the Lopers ahead 21-7.
Knowing they needed a score to stay in the game, MWSU decided to go to the ground. It worked to perfection as Shamar Griffith had a big run of his own for 41 yards to cut the deficit to one touchdown.
Sedarius Young proved why he is dangerous in the open field once again, with a 53-yard catch for the touchdown. This is the second week in a row that Young has caught a touchdown pass over 50 yards.
The Griffons got a good push on the line and as a result, Junior Gonzalez‘s extra point attempt was blocked. At halftime, UNK had a 27-14 advantage.
Time of possession was the name of the game in the third quarter. The Lopers took the ball first and slowly but surely pushed it down the field.
TJ Davis‘s fifth run of the drive resulted in a nine-yard scamper for a score. Webb received the handoff on the extra point once more and rumbled into the endzone to put UNK up by 21 points.
MWSU only touchdown of the third quarter came through the air, as Wyatt Steigerwald connected with Kyle Berry for the 23-yard score.
The Loper defense held the Griffons without a score in the final quarter while continuing to score on
the offensive side of the ball. Webb ran 71 yards for his second score and Davis ripped off an 11 yard run for his team-best eleventh touchdown.
Establishing the running game was a huge component of UNK’s success. For the second time this year, three players ran for at least 100 yards. On just six carries, Webb had 184 yards, Goodwin 172 and Davis 149. The final total of 562 yards was UNK’s third-highest in school history.
Anchoring the defense was Sal Silvio with seven tackles and a forced fumble. He is now third on the Lopers all-time tackles list with 306.
This Saturday, UNK host Washburn on “Senior Day”. Time is set for noon at Ron and Carol Cope Stadium.
“The plan is to attack and execute to the beat of our ability. We know they are a team like ourselves that play with a chip on their shoulders but it is always possible to win,” Goodwin said.
With a victory against the Ichabods (5-5), the Lopers have an opportunity for their first bowl bid since joining the MIAA in 2012.
