Missouri Western football coach Jerry Partridge picked up his fourth coaching win of the season on Saturday, marking the first time he has started 4-0 as Griffons head coach.

The 37-34 victory against previously undefeated Washburn vaulted Western (4-0, 2-0 MIAA), into the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll at No. 18. The poll was released Thursday afternoon.

The Griffons had not be ranked by the AFCA since September 25, 2007, when they were ranked No. 24.

After Western dramatically defeated No. 22 ranked Washburn on a 53-yard field goal with less than a second remaining, Partridge dropped to his knees. He admitted he said a little prayer as the kick sailed through the uprights. He also was quick to downplay the undefeated start.

"It is not how you start the season, it is how you finish," Partridge said. "However, out of all the different possibilities of what we could be right now, I will take 4-0."

For the previous four seasons, Western has played MIAA powerhouses Northwest Missouri State and Pittsburg State back-to-back within the first three weeks of the season until this year's scheduling rotation pushed the games back two weeks. During the previous four years, Western never beat Northwest and split the four game with Pittsburg. Western now plays Pittsburg in the fifth game of the season followed by the Bearcats.

Junior place-kicker Brad Beckwith also officially etched his name into Western's record book when he booted the game-winning field goal as time expired, surpassing Michael Sierra's old mark of 52 yards, set back in 1996 against Northwest.

"Being a kicker, you don't really get a whole lot of recognition," Beckwith said. "But, to be able to be put on the spot like that and come through for the team is unreal for me. I am actually getting reps with the linemen in front of me with a snap and a hold in practice."

"I think that really helped me with such a pressure situation like I was in on Saturday."

Western will have no time to enjoy the victory, as the Griffons are slated to face off against No. 23 Pittsburg State on Saturday in Pittsburg, Kan. The Gorillas (2-2, 0-2 MIAA) were previously ranked No. 11 and as high as no. 4 after Week 2. They are currently riding a two-game losing streak after losing to No. 11 Central Missouri State and No. 6 Northwest.

"They are backed into a corner and that is the worst kind of animal to face," Partridge said. "This is going to be a hornet's nest, and we'd better be ready to go. It is not going to be easy in Pittsburg."

Sports reporter Travis Hartman can be reached at npsports@npgco.com