Box Score
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Mak Sexton fired four touchdown passes and ran for a fifth score to help spark Pittsburg State University to an emphatic 35-16 victory over No. 13 University of Central Missouri in the 2021 season opener Thursday (Sept. 2) at Audrey J. Walton Stadium.

Sexton completed 13 of 24 passes for 223 yards in the contest as the Gorillas (1-0, 1-0 MIAA). He started the Pitt State scoring with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Christian Carter midway through the first quarter.

After UCM's Chris Diddle booted a 29-yard fied goal to make it a 7-3 game, Sexton connected with Mario Kirby Jr. on a 4-yard TD and Elijah Harris on a 24-yard connection to take a 21-3 lead to the intermission.

Sexton found Harris again with 2:04 to play in the third quarter to make it a 28-9 game, capping a six-play, 89-yard drive to counter a UCM scoring drive two minutes earlier. He rounded out the Pitt State scoring by diving into the pile on from nine yards out with 10:16 to play in the game.

The Pitt State defense limited the Mules to 114 rushing yards, forced a pair of turnovers with interceptions by linebacker Alex Gaskill and cornerback Dallis Flowers and the Gorillas twice held UCM on downs in the contest.

Linebacker Luke Jennings was credited with a team-leading 10 tackles in the game, while defensive end Kaden Roy made eight stops.

Carter caught three passes for 108 yards, while Jalen Martin had three grabs for 51 yards and Harris finished with three catches for 43 yards.

Tucker Horak led the Pitt State ground game with 16 carries for 104 yards, while Caleb Lewis carried the ball 13 times for 76 yards.

The Gorillas will make their home debut on Sept. 11 when they entertain the University of Nebraska-Kearney at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium at 7 p.m. (CDT).