If you’ve spent any time at Spratt Memorial Stadium lately, you know the feeling. The smell of charcoal in the air, the "Highway 71" rivalry talk heating up, and that nagging curiosity about whether this is the year the Griffons finally climb back to the top of the MIAA. Honestly, checking the missouri western state football schedule has become a bit of a ritual for folks in St. Joseph. But here’s the thing: just looking at the dates and opponents on a screen doesn't give you the full picture of what Coach Tyler Fenwick is actually cooking up for the 2025-2026 cycle.
It's easy to see a loss or a win on paper and think you know how a season is going to go. People see that 3-8 overall record from the 2025 campaign and assume the wheels have fallen off. But if you were actually there—if you saw the way they battled against ranked squads like Augustana or how they handled Missouri S&T—you’d know the narrative is way more complicated than a simple win-loss column.
Breaking Down the 2025 Missouri Western State football schedule
The 2025 season was a gauntlet. Pure and simple. When the schedule was first announced back in February of '25, fans knew the non-conference opener was going to be a massive litmus test. Heading up to Sioux Falls to face #23 Augustana right out of the gate is a bold move. They kept it tight, losing 30-26, but that game basically set the tone for a year of "what ifs."
Following that road trip, the Griffons returned to St. Joseph for the home opener on September 13. They took care of business against Missouri S&T with a 27-10 win. It felt like the momentum was building. Then the MIAA schedule hit like a freight train.
The conference slate kicked off with Central Missouri on September 20. It was "Turning Back the Clock Night," honoring the 1975 team. While the atmosphere was electric, the result was a tough 34-26 loss. That’s sort of been the story: competitive, close, but just missing that final clinical edge to close out the big MIAA powerhouses.
The October Grind and Rivalry Week
October is where the missouri western state football schedule usually gets brutal, and 2025 was no exception. You had Emporia State coming to town for Homecoming, followed by a physical battle against Pittsburg State.
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- October 4: Emporia State handed them a 50-14 reality check.
- October 18: Pittsburg State, ranked #12 at the time, left Spratt with a 44-20 victory.
- October 25: A bright spot in Joplin. The Griffons went on the road and beat Missouri Southern 19-12.
Then you have November. If you live within 50 miles of St. Joseph or Maryville, you know the "Battle of Highway 71" is the only date that truly matters. On November 8, 2025, Missouri Western traveled to Bearcat Stadium. Northwest Missouri State, under new head coach John McMenamin, was a different beast. The Bearcats took that one 38-7. It hurt. It always hurts to lose that one, especially when you're trying to prove the gap is closing.
What Most People Miss About the Griffon Roster
You can’t talk about the schedule without talking about who’s actually on the field. The 2025 roster was surprisingly young in key spots. Look at guys like Malik Moore, a sophomore receiver out of Texas who started showing real flashes of being a WR1. Or Branden Berwald, the senior QB who had to navigate some of the toughest defenses in Division II.
The depth chart for the coming 2026 cycle is going to look a lot different. We're seeing a heavy reliance on the transfer portal, which is just the reality of college football now. Coach Fenwick has been vocal about needing more "grown men" on the lines of scrimmage. When you're playing teams like Central Oklahoma—who dropped 54 on the Griffons in the 2025 finale—you realize that speed is great, but size in the trenches wins MIAA rings.
Coaching Stability in a Chaotic Era
One thing Missouri Western has going for it is Tyler Fenwick’s vision. He isn't a "quick fix" guy. He's trying to build something sustainable. With coordinators like Erik Johnson on defense and Todd Throckmorton on offense, there’s a level of tactical continuity that some other MIAA schools lack right now.
Is it perfect? No. The defense struggled in 2025, giving up over 34 points per game in conference play. That’s a stat that has to change if the 2026 missouri western state football schedule is going to result in a winning record. You can't ask your offense to score 40 points every Saturday just to stay in the hunt.
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The Spratt Stadium Experience: More Than Just a Game
If you're planning on catching a game in the future, you've got to understand the layout. Spratt Memorial Stadium is one of the better venues in the MIAA, mostly because of the renovations.
The Bill Snyder Pavilion at the west end is a cool nod to a legendary alumnus. And honestly, the "hillside seating" is where the real atmosphere is. It’s cheaper, sure, but it’s where you get the most vocal fans.
Ticket Intel for the Uninitiated
Usually, tickets go on sale in late August. For a standard game, you’re looking at about $15 to $20 for general admission. But—and this is a big but—if Northwest Missouri State is in town, prices jump. You're looking at $25 minimum, and the parking lot (Lot I) is basically a premium zone that fills up months in advance.
If you're a student, you're lucky. You just need your G# to claim a free ticket. For everyone else, buying online at gogriffons.com is basically mandatory unless you want to wait in a 30-minute line at the ticket window two hours before kickoff.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook
While the official 2026 times aren't always set in stone until later in the year, the MIAA rotates its schedule with a predictable rhythm. We know the Griffons will likely see those non-conference match-ups flip locations or opponents.
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The big question for 2026 is the quarterback room. With Berwald graduating, who steps up? Is it Kody Kirk? Or does Fenwick go back to the portal for a one-year rental to bridge the gap?
How to Actually Follow the Progress
- Watch the Spring Game: Usually in April. It’s the first real look at the new transfers and early enrollees.
- Monitor the Gold Coat Club: This is the booster group. If they're hitting their fundraising goals, it usually means the facilities (like the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex) are getting the upgrades needed to recruit against the big boys.
- Check the MIAA Network: If you can't make it to St. Joe, the MIAA Network is actually pretty high quality for DII. It's worth the subscription if you're a die-hard.
Basically, the missouri western state football schedule is a roadmap of obstacles. To get back to the postseason, this team has to stop "playing up" to the competition and start dominating the middle-of-the-pack teams. They can't afford to drop games to Washburn or Nebraska-Kearney if they want to be taken seriously.
Missouri Western football is in a transition phase. It’s frustrating for fans who remember the 12-win seasons of the early 2010s. But the pieces are there. The facilities are undeniably top-tier—the Kansas City Chiefs don't hold training camp there for no reason. Now, the on-field product just needs to catch up to the infrastructure.
If you're looking for your next move as a fan, start by marking the home opener for the 2026 season once the specific date is finalized this summer. Get your tailgating gear ready early, especially for the October home stands. Following the Griffons isn't always easy on the heart, but on a crisp Saturday afternoon at Spratt, there isn't a better place to be in Northwest Missouri.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you're following the official @GoGriffons social accounts for sudden time changes or weather delays, which are common in the Missouri autumn. Keep an eye on the injury reports mid-season, as depth has historically been the "Achilles heel" for this roster during the final November push.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the official MWSU Athletics website in July for the finalized kickoff times for the 2026 season.
- Join the Gold Coat Club if you want priority access to Lot I parking, which is the only way to guarantee a tailgating spot for the Northwest Missouri game.
- Download the MIAA Network app and set up your account before the first road game of the season to avoid last-minute technical glitches.