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Texarkana, Ark. - The Muleriders head west to Texarkana to face Missouri Western in the Agent Barry Live United Bowl this Saturday at noon. The Muleriders are coming off a month of November to forget - losses away at Ouachita Baptist and Arkansas-Monticello saw the Muleriders drop out of the top-25 rankings, and subsequently, the top-seven rankings of Super Region Three which sees the Muleriders relegated to this fixture. 

The Muleriders look to end the season on a high note, and senior defensive end DaVondrick Lison looks to take sole possession of the school's all-time sack record. The Arkansas City native  is currently only one-half of a sack away from doing so. 

SCOUTING Missouri Western

The Griffons enter this game with a 6-5 record, having split their two games in November, first beating Nebraksa-Kearney before losing at home to Lindenwood. The Griffons' most notable performance of the season came back in Week 2, when then #5-ranked Fort Hays State were upset by Missouri Western by a score of 23-13. The Griffons, led by second-year head coach Matt Williamson, saw a two-win improvement from the 2017 campaign, as they finished sixth in the MIAA. 

The strength of the Griffons' offense is their offensive line. The offensive line only allowed six sacks on the season, and helped the Griffons rank third in the MIAA in rushing offense, as they averaged 228.9 yards per game on the ground. 

SCHEDULE
The Missouri Western football team enters play this bowl game with a 6-5 overall record and a 6-5 mark in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. After starting 4-2, Missouri Western went 2-3 in the second half of the season to finish above .500 for the first time since 2015. The Griffons are coming off a 27-23 loss to Lindenwood to end the regular season.

THE COACH
The Griffons are coached by Matt Williamson, who is in his second season at Missouri Western. In his time on the MWSU sidelines, Jackson has amassed a 10-12 overall record. Missouri Western is Williamson's first head coaching job, who held previous assistant coaching jobs at Arkansas-Monticello, Missouri Western, Central Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin before taking over as head coach at his alma mater.
         
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Offensively, the Griffons are averaging 27.3 points per game and 394.5 yards of total offense per game as well with 165.6 of the yards coming through the air and the remaining 228.9 yards being gained on the ground. Their points per game average ranks tenth in the MIAA while their total offense ranks eighth in the league.

Under center for the Griffons is senior QB Dom Marino. On the year, Marino has completed 138-of-258 passes for 1,606 yards and 8 touchdowns. His 146.0 passing yards per game average ranks seventh in the MIAA.

On the ground, the Griffons are led by James Bailey Jr. as he had rushed for 661 yards on 121 carries and nine touchdowns. Shamar Griffith has rushed for 631 yards on 95 carries and four tocuhdowns. Marino also has 644 yards on 108 carries and five touchdowns.

In terms of receiving, the Griffons' top receiver is Keylon Mack. On the year, Mack has 444 yards on 37 receptions and a pair of touchdowns.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
Defensively, the Griffons are allowing 22.5 points per game and 354.5 yards of total offense per game with 133.9 of the yards coming on the ground and the remaining 220.6 being gained through the air. Their scoring defense ranks sixth in the MIAA while their rushing defense is third and their passing defense is tenth. MWSU's total defense ranks sixth.
     
THE SERIES
This will be the first ever meeting between the Muleriders and the Griffons.