ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Missouri Western entered its season opener against ranked Augustana as a clear underdog. After going just 3-8 last season and struggling defensively, there wasn’t much expectation for the Griffons against one of the better teams on their schedule.
Instead, Missouri Western turned the game into a basketball score as the two offenses lit up the end zone.
“I did say it was going to be a shootout, I didn’t think it was going to be that kind of a shootout, but that was pretty incredible I think there was touchdowns pretty much every way you could possibly imagine,” Missouri Western coach Tyler Fenwick said. “It was just an interesting game. I’m really proud of the two quarterbacks that played, I thought Isaiah was on fire, he was hot.”
The defense still has work to do after surrendering 63 points, but a Griffons offense led by strong quarterback play gave plenty of reason for optimism in the 63-58 loss.
Junior Isaiah Tate took over at quarterback, a position Missouri Western has been trying to stabilize over the past several years. Tate completed his first 10 passes and almost single-handedly kept the Griffons in the game, making an upset look possible before leaving in the third quarter with cramps. Tate was replaced by Skyler Cassel, who came in and kept it a one-score game.
Tate, a Lincoln University transfer, threw for an absurd 420 yards and four touchdowns before his departure. The Griffons offense put up 727 yards of total offense in the loss. Missouri Western’s receivers had a field day as Tate and Cassel spread the ball around. Five receivers recorded more than 75 yards apiece, with each catching a touchdown.
“They were throwing catchable balls and receivers were getting open and the ball was there on time,” Fenwick said. “I think that has a lot to do with chemistry. So it’s comforting that I know we got two (quarterbacks), and I felt like we had two going into it but I think we proved it tonight.”
The offense showed plenty of promise as Tate looks to continue his high level of play in Warrensburg on Thursday. The defense will have a chance to get back on track against a Central Missouri team that also opened the season with a loss.
For Missouri Western, the result still goes in the loss column, but the way the Griffons competed offered a much different feeling than many of last season’s games. With two quarterbacks proving capable of moving the offense and a receiving corps full of options, Missouri Western now has something tangible to build on as it turns its attention to Week 2.
“I believe in this team,” Fenwick said. “It’s a fun team to coach. … these kids are fun to be around. They compete, they ask good questions, there’s not a lot of drama. They come with their hard hat on and they work. I know they’re going to get back to work. … we’ll be back to work getting ready for UCM. We’ll put this one to bed. … and get working on UCM and get ready.”
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