Box Score
JOPLIN, Mo. -- Caleb Lewis broke loose for a 51-yard punt return and Mak Sexton found Christian Carter for a 15-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing play as the Pittsburg State University football team rallied for a 20-16 victory over Missouri Southern State University Saturday (Oct. 2) at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

Pitt State (4-1, 4-1 MIAA) led 7-6 at halftime against MSSU (1-4, 1-4 MIAA) in the annual Miner's Bowl match-up and the two squads traded field goals in the third quarter. The Lions went in front, 16-10, on Josh Mercer's four yard touchdown run with 11:22 to play in the game.

The Gorillas trimmed the margin to 16-13 on Cross Holmes' 28-yard field goal with 7:00 to go and the Pitt State defense followed that up with forcing MSSU into a 3-and-out to set up Lewis' big return.

The Lions had a final opportunity to rally following Sexton's scoring strike to Carter. MSSU drove to the PSU 47 yard line, but Dawson Herl's 4th-and-2 pass attempt was broken up by linebacker P.J. Sarwinski to halt the drive and seal the Pitt State victory.

Sexton completed 22 of 35 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. Carter had seven catches for 97 yards while Jalen Martin added 7 grabs for 91 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Lewis carried the ball 14 times for 72 yards.

Herl completed 19 of 33 pases for 161 yards for the Lions. Nick Williams booted three field goals for MSSU, connecting on kicks of 28, 32 and 41 yards.

Sarwinski finished the game with a career high 15 tackles (eight solo), including 1.5 tackles-for-loss and two pass break-ups. Brandon Mlekus added nine tackles in the game.

The Gorillas will travel to Maryville, Mo., next Saturday (Oct. 9) to battle No. 2 ranked Northwest Missouri State University.