PITTSBURG — Najee Jackson passed for 231 yards and two touchdowns and Shakeem Wharton rushed for 105 yards and two scores to lead Lindenwood University to a 45-11 road win over Pittsburg State University Saturday (Sept. 23).

The Lions (2-2, 2-2 MIAA) jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead against the Gorillas (2-2, 2-2 MIAA) in front of 10,432 partisan fans at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.

Jared Vincent booted a 21-yard field goal for Pitt State with 6:19 to play in the second quarter, and the Lions took a 14-3 lead to the intermission.

LWU capitalized on a blocked punt to extend its lead with a 27-yard Travis Spraul field goal four minutes into the third quarter, and the Lions added two third quarter touchdowns to push their margin to 31-3.

Ryan Dodd scored on a one-yard run when he picked up a fumble by Quez Allen and advanced it into the end zone with 9:52 to play in the game. Thomas LePage carried in the 2-point conversion run for the Gorillas.

LWU added a 21-yard touchdown scamper by Wharton with 5:46 to play and the Lions tacked on a one-yard TD run by Nash Sutherlin with seven seconds remaining in the contest.

John Roderique completed 14 of 37 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns in his return to the Pitt State lineup. Roderique missed the second half of the season opener vs Central Missouri and the last two games with a high ankle sprain. LePage was seven of 17 passing for 53 yards and an interception in relief of Roderique.

Michael Rose carried the ball 13 times for 80 yards as Pitt State racked up 213 rushing yards in the game. Tucker Horak also gained 67 yards on 10 carries. Jovon Wilson caught six passes for a team-leading 68 yards.

Marcus Brantley led the Pitt State defense with 15 tackles (eight solo), including 2.0 TFLs, as well as a forced fumble.

The Gorillas will return to action next Saturday (Sept. 30) when they host MIAA rival Washburn University at 2 p.m.