PITTSBURG — Slade Nordic returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Dino Teague returned an interception 51 yards for a score five plays later as Pittsburg State University started fast en route to a 41-14 victory over Missouri Southern State University Saturday (Oct. 31).

The Gorillas (6-3, 6-3 MIAA), who trailed the University of Nebraska-Kearney 13-0 four minutes into the game last week, turned the tables on the visiting Lions (1-8, 1-8 MIAA) in front of 8,251 fans at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.

Michael Rose added a five-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter as Pitt State built a 21-0 lead.

Southern trimmed the margin to 21-14 on E.J. McKenzie's 35-yard interception return and a 37-yard T.J. Feeton to Jocqui Davis touchdown pass.

The Gorillas countered with a pair of Thomas LePage touchdown passes to restore order and put the game out of reach. LePage capped a nine-play, 55-yard drive with an 11-yard TD pass to Kyle Swartz with 6:22 remaining in the third quarter. Then, after Tyree Jefferson's interception gave the Gorillas the ball at the MSSU 14, he tossed a 13-yard fourth quarter scoring strike.

Jeff Seybold closed out the scoring with a 20-yard touchdown run with 6:00 to play in the game. Seybold rushed the ball 18 times for a game-high 92 yards, while LePage added 45 yards on 10 carries. Rose finished the game with 11 carries for 43 yards as Pitt State compiled 225 ground yards.

LePage completed 15 of 24 passes for 171 yards and two scores. He completed eight balls to Marquise Cushon for a game-high 99 yards.

Feeton was 14 of 25 passing for 188 yards with two interceptions. Will Gregory gained 77 rushing yards on 12 carries for the Lions.

Spencer Brown made a team-leading 12 tackles with two stops behind the line of scrimmage for the Gorillas. Taye Irvin registered five tackles, including a sack and 1.5 tackles-for-loss.

The Gorillas will travel to Warrensburg, Mo., to face the University of Central Missouri next Saturday (Nov. 7) in the MIAA TV Network game of the week. Kickoff is set for 2:37 p.m. (CST).