PITTSBURG — Ninth-ranked Pittsburg State University overcame a 21-13 third quarter deficit to score the game's final 23 points and claim a 36-21 victory over upset-minded University of Nebraska-Kearney Saturday (Oct. 25) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.

Quarterback Anthony Abenoja passed for 377 yards, including a pair of second-half touchdown passes, to help lead the comeback for Pitt State (7-1, 7-1 MIAA).

UNK (2-6, 2-6 MIAA), which saw its modest two-game winning streak snapped in the contest, utilized big plays to make the Gorillas trail for 33 minutes, 31 seconds of play clock in the contest. Quarerback Bronson Marsh broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 UNK lead, then added a 75-yard touchdown connection to Cougar Williams one play after the Gorillas trimmed the margin to 7-3 on Connor Frazell's 37-yard field goal.

Pitt State chipped away at the lead as Frazell booted a 20-yard field goal and Brian Poston scored on a three-yard run to give the Lopers a 14-13 edge at halftime.

UNK then struck again three plays into the third quarter as Marsh connected with Tityus Marshall on a 74-yard scoring pass to extend the margin to 21-13 with 13:27 to play in the third period.

Frazell booted his third field goal of the game – this one from 38 yards out – to draw within five points, at 21-16; and Abenoja connected with running back Jamal Tyler on a 15-yard scoring pass to give Pitt State its first lead, at 22-21 with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Abenoja later converted on a 4th-and-2 pass play, hitting wide receiver Gavin Lutman for a three-yard touchdown pass to make it a 29-21 game and Tyler capped the scoring with a 14-yard run with 3:45 to play in the game.

Abenoja completed 28 of 47 passes in the game for 377 yards. Marquise Cushon caught eight passes for a game-high 134 yards. He also carried the ball three times for 32 yards. Lutman added six catches for 98 yards, while Tyler carried the ball 15 times for 102 yards and caught five passes for 42 yards through the air.

Keeston Terry paced the Pitt State defense with seven stops, including two behind the line of scrimmage.

Marsh passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 14 times for a team-leading 56 yards. Romero Cotton also had nine carries for 53 yards for the Lopers.

The Gorillas will travel to Joplin, Mo., next Saturday (Nov. 1) to face Missouri Southern State University in MIAA action. The Lions (4-4) defeated Lindenwood University, 31-17, Saturday at St. Charles, Mo