ROLLA, Mo. — Missouri S&T nearly erased a 28-point deficit Saturday night, but Missouri Western held on for a 42-30 win over the Miners at Allgood-Bailey Stadium.

S&T turned the ball over twice in the opening quarter, leading to a 28-0 Missouri Western lead early in the second. The Miners answered with a 49-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-1 carry by AJ Harris (Wentzville, MO/Lutheran-St. Charles).

Another S&T turnover set up a 25-yard rushing touchdown by Rickie Dunn to push the MWSU lead to 35-7. Layne Ryals (Louisburg, KS/Louisburg) added a 41-yard field goal just before halftime to make it 35-10 entering the break.

S&T carried that momentum into the second half, moving the ball well and capping a 75-yard drive with an Evan Wells (Roxana, IL/Roxana) rushing touchdown to open the third quarter.

The Miners' defense came up big on the next drive, making a stand around midfield to force a turnover on downs to set up good field position for the offense.

S&T followed with a 56-yard scoring drive, converting a fourth-and-6 pass from Eli Scott (Louisville, KY/Eastern) to K'Vion Bills (Chicago Heights, IL/Hillcrest) before Scott added a 15-yard run. Harris finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 35-23 after a failed 2-point conversion by the Miners.

Missouri Western answered early in the fourth quarter, making it 42-23, but the Miners continued to push. Eli Scott (Louisville, KY/Eastern) completed a couple of passes and scrambled three times to help the Miners drive into MWSU territory, with the drive ultimately coming up short on a failed fourth-and-5 conversion at the MWSU 33.

The Miners then forced a punt and got the ball back with 8:58 to play, setting up a 71-yard scoring drive that ended with Harris' third touchdown of the day. Ryals executed and recovered an onside kick after that, but it was called back on an offsides penalty.

Later, after Missouri Western missed a 32-yard field goal, S&T put together another strong drive, pushing its way to the MWSU 34 before a penalty and a sack backed the Miners up, leading to a turnover on downs that allowed the Griffons to run out the clock.

S&T outgained Missouri Western 435-316 in total offense, with almost 100 yards of that difference coming from the running game as the Miners rushed for 252 yards while the Griffons had 158.

Harris led the Miners with 134 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Scott accounted for 162 yards of total offense. Bills didn't record his first reception until halfway through the third quarter but ended the game as S&T's leading receiver, hauling in four catches for 72 yards.

Jalen Hill (Mayo, FL/Lafayette) led S&T's defensive efforts with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. Four Miners recorded sacks, three of which resulted in a loss of six or more yards.

What's Next
Missouri S&T travels to Kirksville, Missouri, next weekend for its Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at Truman State.

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