Box Score
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Northwest Missouri State University capitalized on a pair of trick plays to open a 21-point first half margin and rode that early momentum to a 38-17 victory over Pittsburg State University in battle of unbeaten teams at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday (Oct. 12).

The Gorillas (5-1, 5-1 MIAA) struck first on Brandon Mlekus' 78-yard touchdown pass to Lorenzo West, but the Bearcats (6-0, 6-0 MIAA) rattled off the game's next 28 points to take control.

Quarterbacks Braden Wright and Mike Hohensee each tossed touchdown passes to tight end Marqus Andrew as NWMSU took a 14-7 lead with 5:08 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bearcats stretched it to a 21-7 advantage early in the second quarter when wide receiver Imoni Donadelle broke loose for a 59-yard TD scamper on a double reverse.

Later in the quarter, the Bearcats lineup up for a 52-yard field goal attempt, changed formations and Hohensee tossed a 35-yard TD pass to Andrews to make it a 28-7 game.

Pitt State's Mak Sexton broke up the Bearcats' scoring run with a six-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Murphy. The scoring play was set up by Matt Harman's 50-yard passing connection to West two plays earlier.

NWMSU's Parker Sampson booted a 41-yard field goal to give the Bearcats a 31-14 halfime advantage.

Neither team got on the scoreboard in the second half until Jared Vincent booted a 22-yard field goal for the Gorillas with 2:47 to play in the game.

The Gorillas recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt, but the Bearcats held Pitt State on downs four plays later. Wright, who rushed 17 times for a career-high 172 yards sealed the win with a 48-yard touchdown jaunt with 1:23 to play.

Mlekus rushed 15 times for 35 net yards for the Gorillas. Sexton completed 10 of 34 passes for 126 yards. West caught five passes for a game-high 163 yards. 

The Gorillas will return home to face MIAA rival Fort Hays State University on Homecoming at 1 p.m. next Saturday (Oct. 19).