By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
WARRENSBURG, MO - The Missouri Western football team battled all day and had a lead in the fourth quarter and the second overtime, but Central Missouri (4-6) scored the walk-off touchdown in the second OT to beat the Griffons 40-37 at Walton Stadium Saturday.
The Griffons (4-6), who have lost each of their last four games at Warrensburg, overcame a 17-7 deficit in the second quarter and led 21-20 at halftime, and 24-20 going into the fourth.
A career-long 46-yard field goal by Missouri Western's Cody Watson tied the game at 27 with 32 seconds left in regulation.
Missouri Western won the coin toss to begin overtime and elected to go on defense. On the Mules' third play on offense, quarterback Cedric Case found tight end Bo Reeves open for a 24-yard touchdown, putting the Mules up 34-27.
The Griffons had a 4th-and-4 on their first drive of the first overtime, and at the 11th hour, Western quarterback Reagan Jones found receiver Cooper Burton over the middle for a 19-yard touchdown, tying the game at 34 and sending it to a second overtime.
The Griffons started the second OT on offense and got a first-and-goal at the four yard line, but a pair of run plays for no gain and an incomplete pass left Missouri Western with fourth-and-goal at the four.
Needing points, Watson connected on a 21-yard field goal, putting the Griffons up 37-34.
Just two plays later, Case went to his tight end Reeves again. Reeves was left open in the slot on the left side, and he caught the walk-off touchdown from 20 yards away to give the Mules a win on their senior day.
"Central Missouri just out executed us discipline wise," Missouri Western coach Matt Williamson said. "Quite a bit there in the second half and again on a couple of plays in overtime, too. Our details, our execution, we're just not getting it done and not making plays when we need to."
Case completed 22-of-32 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a rushing score for 12 yards in the first half.
Jones threw a pick-six early in the second quarter to put the Griffons in an early hole, but he bounced back nicely, completing 18-of-31 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Jared Scott led Missouri Western on the ground with a career-high 131 yards rushing on 23 carries. Jonas Bennett, Titus McCoy and Cam Grandy each had rushing touchdowns in the first half.
Cooper Burton caught six passes for 57 yards and a score to lead Missouri Western on the receiving end. Traveon James had five catches for 80 yards.
Missouri Western outrushed UCM 266-144 and outgained the Mules in total yards 475-398. Isaac Wallace led the Griffons with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Missouri Western will end the 2022 season at home Saturday when they host Lincoln (0-10). The Blue Tigers put up a fight, but lost at home to Emporia State this past Saturday 35-24.
Kickoff Saturday is set for 1 p.m. with pregame at noon on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3). It'll be Senior Day for 11 seniors on the Griffon roster.
"The kids love to play," Williamson said, when talking about the message heading into the final game. "Our kids love to play, they love competing. So, we'll be ready to rock and roll when we get back."
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