PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team pounded out 438 rushing yards and 544 total yards in an emphatic 48-28 victory over the University of Central Missouri Saturday (Oct. 20). The win came before 9,126 Homecoming fans at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium in the NCAA Division II Showcase national game of the week.

The Gorillas improved to 6-2 on the season, snapping a two-game losing streak, while the Mules (3-5) dropped their third straight contest.

Tucker Horak rushed 19 times for a career high 139 yards, scoring on a one-yard run with 2:23 to play in the second quarter and a 13-yard run with 10:16 remaining in the contest. Tyler Adkins also carried the ball 10 times for 112 yards with second-half scoring jaunts of 35 yards with 10:08 to play in the third quarter and 14:52 remaining in the fourth period.

Keynan Scheurich, who carried the ball five times for 76 yards as well, popped a 30-yard touchdown with 5:40 to play in the third quarter.

Pitt State eclipsed 400 rushing yards for the first time since a 406-yard rushing day against Fort Hays State University on Oct. 24, 2009.

Quarterback John Roderique completed seven of 14 passes for 106 yards with an 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Baughman on the Gorillas first offensive possession to help Pitt State knot the score at 7-7 with 4:18 to play in the first quarter.

UCM's Kyle Bradley capped a 13-play, 77-yard drive with a two-yard run on the opening possession of the game. The Mules took the early lead at the 9:24 mark of the first quarter after exhausting 5:26 of game clock.

The Pitt State defense limited UCM to 44 net rushing yards and 323 total yards in the game. The Mules scored a pair of cosmetic touchdowns in the game's final 8:35 against the Gorillas' reserves, after falling behind 48-14. UCM compiled gained 145 yards in its final two possession after being limited to 178 yards prior to that point.

The Gorillas registered seven quarterback sacks and safety Morgan Selemaea added an 18-yard fumble return for a touchdown that gave Pitt State a 14-7 lead with 2:51 to play in the opening period. Simamu'a Thomas made five tackles with 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles. Levi Wyrick added three TFLs including a quarterback sack.