ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Quarterback John Roderique passed for a career-high 373 yards and five touchdowns to lead Pittsburg State University to a 55-47 road win over Missouri Western State University Saturday (Oct. 15) at Spratt Memorial Stadium.
 
The Gorillas (5-2, 5-2 MIAA) built a 55-26 lead on the Griffons (4-3, 4-3 MIAA) with 13:24 to play in the game, but Western scored the game's final 21 points to make it interesting down the stretch.
 
Roderique tied a school record with his five touchdown passes in the contest. He tossed a pair of scoring passes to Brenner Clemons – of 49 and 44 yards. Clemons finished the game with six receptions for a career-high 153 yards. Roderique completed 22 of 29 passes in the game.
 
Austin Panko also made five catches for 112 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown grab. Kyle Swartz added a pair of short TD receptions from Roderique as well.
 
Michael Rose also rushed the ball 28 times for a career-high 175 yards and two touchdowns, scoring from five and three yards out. Roderique added 74 rushing yards on 14 carries to compile 447 yards of total offense.
 
Chad Levin added field goals of 25 yards and a career-long 49 yards in the contest.
 
Spencer Brown made a team-leading 12 stops for the Pitt State defense, while DeShaughn Terry added nine tackles for the Gorillas.
 
Skyler Windmiller passed for 392 yards and three touchdowns for the Griffons, while Josh Caldwell rushed for 188 yards and three scores.
 
The Gorillas will return home to host Emporia State University next Saturday (Oct. 22). The Hornets claimed a 35-28 victory over Lindenwood University Saturday.