Missouri Western football (0-1) fell in its first game of the 2020 season to FCS Division I opponent Central Arkansas (4-4) 52-10. The Griffons entered Saturday's opener without three of their five defensive coaches, including defensive coordinator Justin Richter, all who were quarantined due to COVID-19 protocols.
The Griffons came out strong, scoring their only touchdown of the game on their opening drive. After a 66-yard return by Trey Vaval on the opening kickoff, it took Missouri Western only six plays to get in the endzone. Running back Jared Scott punched it in for a one-yard score and Thomas Kopcho's extra point gave MWSU a 7-0 lead in the game's first two minutes.
After the Griffon defense forced a three and out, the #10 ranked team in FCS, found its stride midway through the first quarter, with two big touchdown catches from Tyler Hudson. UCA rolled off 45 straight points, taking a 38-7 lead to halftime. Western didn't score again until a Roland Tyson 33-yard field goal in the third quarter.
While MWSU's COVID-testing has resulted in very few positive results, The Griffons were without six starters primarily due to injury.
This game marked the first career start for four of the five Griffon offensive linemen. Keegan Zars -the only lineman with starting experience- started just one game in 2019.
In his second career start for the Griffons, sophomore quarterback Anthony Vespo was 16-25 and threw for 143 yards.
The Griffons will return to Spratt Stadium for their home opener on Saturday, November 7th against Pittsburg State at 3:00 pm.