Opponents have scored 30 or more points on them for four straight games earlier this season and five times overall. In fact, their fourth-quarter collapse nearly cost them a game in Pittsburg, Kan.,

But those numbers are misleading, because almost unnoticed the Missouri Western's much-maligned defense has risen to the No. 2 spot in the conference rankings.

The Griffons staked that claim last Friday in Emporia, Kan., holding Emporia State to just 207 yards (just 87 of it passing) in a 29-6 victory against the Hornets. It was the fewest points Emporia has scored all season and 142 fewer yards than they've averaged this year.

"Very quietly we've become the second best defense in the MIAA," coach Jerry Partridge noted Monday.

Western opponents have averaged 328.6 yards per game against the Griffons, while league-leading Northwest Missouri State is tops in the total defense category by allowing 34.8 fewer yards per game. Western is No. 3 against the rush and No. 4 against the pass, while allowing 25.8 points per game - fifth best in the league.

The Griffons have rounded into defensive form behind the work of leading tackler Sean Whiters (62 tackles), the pressure of Matt Glades (8 tackles for loss) and the pass rush of linemen Bradley Davidson (5.5 sacks) and Daniel Atkinson (5 sacks).

In addition, what had been considered a sieve-like secondary has performed better of late, with Shane Simpson getting two of his four team-leading interceptions Saturday at Emporia. Ian Thompson has picked off three passes while three others have picked off a pair of them.

Still, the numbers aren't what Partridge - a defensive back at Western in his playing days - would like to see in his brand of football.

This season MIAA teams are averaging 401.7 yards per game, with six defenses in the 10-member league surpassing the 400-yard plateau.

"This is an offensive league. It's like basketball on grass," said Partridge, who bemoaned the prevalence of shotgun and pistol offenses.

"I'm going to push for a rule to allow a 12th defensive player," he quipped.