EDMOND, Okla. – Sixth-ranked Pittsburg State University scored on the opening drive of the game and built a 17-0 second quarter lead en route to a 41-14 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma Saturday (Nov. 15) in the regular season finale.
 
The victory gave Pitt State (10-1, 10-1 MIAA) a share of its 12^th MIAA Championship and the Gorillas 31^st all-time conference title. Pitt State shared the MIAA crown with seventh-ranked Northwest Missouri State University. The Bearcats defeated Washburn University 31-14 Saturday at Maryville, Mo. The Gorillas defeated Northwest, 35-17, in Maryville on Oct. 18.
 
Pitt State posted its school record 20^th consecutive road victory dating back to the 2010 season with the victory over UCO (8-3, 8-3 MIAA).
 
Quarterback Anthony Abenoja completed 21 of 29 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown for the Gorillas, who also rushed for a season-best 241 yards.
 
Wide receiver Marquise Cushon had a 44-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep play in the second quarter and also hauled in a 10-yard TD grab from Abenoja on the opening drive of the third period. He finished the game with four catches for 68 yards and added four rushes for a team-leading 88 yards.
 
Running back Michael Rose added 10 carries for 57 yards, including a one-yard TD run that gave the Gorillas a 27-7 advantage with 1:24 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Back-up quarterback Ramsey Hamilton and running back Brian Poston added short touchdown runs for the Gorillas; and place kicker Connor Frazell connected on field goals of 22 yards in the first quarter and 36 yards in the second quarter.
 
Wide receiver Gavin Lutman caught five passes for a team-leading 71 yards for the Gorillas.
 
The Pitt State defense limited UCO to 222 total yards in the contest.
 
Quarterback Chas Stallard completed 10 of 20 passes for 71 yards, while running back Jake Gandara carried the ball 11 times for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Linebacker Spencer Brown made a team-leading six tackles (four solo), including one TFL.
 
The Gorillas now will await the NCAA Division II playoff selection show Sunday (Nov. 16) at 4 p.m. to learn their post-season fate. Pitt State was ranked No. 4 in last week's NCAA Division II Super Region Three rankings. The top six teams advance to the 24-team post-season field.