Box Score Kearney, Neb. – The Missouri Western State Griffons ran for 387 yards and four scores to hold off Nebraska-Kearney, 34-17, Saturday afternoon at Foster Field at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium.

Now winners of seven straight over the Lopers, MWSU (5-5) saw senior running back Raphael Spencer carry the ball 31 times for a career-high 251 yards and two TD's. The total helped the three-year starter go over 1,000 yards (now 1,060) for a third straight fall and push his career total to 4,106.

Not to be outdone, redshirt freshman back Josh Caldwell (5-11, 205 lbs.) had 153 yards and two scores on 19 carries. The Griffons' team total came on 59 attempts, a 6.6 yards per carry average.  

"Their tailbacks are extremely talented. They kept running the football at us and that's something we knew was going to happen," said UNK head coach Josh Lamberson. "We don't have a lot of depth up front but I thought our defensive line kept battling until the end."

All-American corner Michael Jordan's 16th career interception early in the second quarter gave the Griffons a short field. Three plays later, Spencer (5-9, 190 lbs.) scored from seven yards out to make it 10-0.

After forcing UNK to punt, Western went back to Spencer. Somehow squirting out of a pile, he raced down the sidelines 64 yards for a surprising TD and a 17-0 lead. Three minutes later, the lead grew by seven more as Caldwell, on 3rd & 2, ran 38 yards for a TD. Spencer started the 46-yard drive with two four-yard runs.

However, UNK didn't go away, getting a seven-yard scoring pass from senior QB Bronson Marsh (Millard South H.S.) to junior "T" Julian Navarrette (Queen Creek, Ariz.) right before the break. That capped an eight play, 77-yard drive.

The Lopers outscored Mo West 10-3 in the third quarter as Grand Island sophomore Brendan Wentling booted a 32-yard field goal and Marsh hooked up with senior receiver Cougar Williams (Hanford, Calif.) from 28 yards out.

"We had some struggles early and didn't find the right offensive recipe until halfway through the second quarter," said Lamberson. "We found a matchup that we liked. We went three by one and put Dalton (Sealey) on the boundary and let him go to work. He is a heck of a competitor and one of those seniors that refuses to roll over."

The TD pass finished off a seven play, 75-yard drive and came at the 1:22 mark. Kearney seemed to have even more momentum as the ensuing kickoff blew away from the Griffon return team.

However, taking over at its' own four-yard line, Western worked 5:20 off the clock and moved 84 yards down the field. A 29-yard field goal by Tanner Pettet was wide left, giving UNK some hope.

While the Lopers converted on 3rd & 1 on its next drive, it couldn't get another third down conversion and punted with eight minutes remaining. The Griffons marched 89 yards in 15 plays, ending things with a one-yard plunge by Caldwell.

Marsh had one of his better passing days as a Loper, going 20 of 33 for 230 yards, two TD's and one INT. Completing passes to eight different teammates, he also had team-highs in carries (11) and rushing yards (12).

A co-captain, Sealey (St. Cecilia H.S.) got hot in the second half and had career-highs in caches (seven) and yards (90). Next Navarrette ended with three grabs for 45 yards with Williams at three for 63 yards.

"Obviously, a loss is a loss. But I think what came to light today was these kids resiliency. That game could've gone south pretty quick," said Lamberson. "We got to that critical junction where you could throw in the towel or you can respond. We talked all week to our team about believing. Believe in yourself, believe in each other, believe in the program. I think that's what got us over the hump."

Defensively, Sargent junior linebacker Tyke Kozeal had a career-high 23 tackles (eight solo), which is believed to be a new school record. He now has made 414 tackles in his career.

Senior safety Dillon Loschen (11), junior corner Darian Thomas (11) and sophomore safety/corner George Brown (10) also had double digit tackle totals. Finally, Loschen (Columbus) had his first career INT and went over 200 career stops (now 201) with California seniors Greg Sherwood and Bryan Luna combining for an eight-yard sack in the first half.

Besides Spencer and Caldwell, Western saw sophomore QB Skyler Windmiller go 8 of 15 for 90 yards and one INT. Senior receiver Dee Toliver was his favorite target, catching four balls for 50 yards.

UNK is at nationally-ranked Emporia State next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The Hornets are at NW Missouri State Saturday night.