TOPEKA — The Pittsburg State University football team jumped out to a 30-13 halftime advantage and the Gorillas held off Washburn University in the second half for a 37-23 road win Saturday (Nov. 5) at Yager Stadium.
 
The No. 5 ranked Gorillas improved to 10-0 on the season and Pitt State secured the program's 13^th MIAA Championship with the win – the first outright conference crown since the Gorillas 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship season and the first MIAA title overall since 2014 (when Pitt State shared the trophy with NWMSU).
 
Quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. overcame three interceptions by passing for 229 yards and three touchdowns. He tossed a pair of scores to tight end Devon Garrison and a third score to wide receiver Mark Wheeland. Wheeland, a graduate transfer from Northeastern State, caught three passes for a season high 72 yards after seeing limited action through the first nine games. Garrison had five grabs for 61 yards.
 
Running back Caleb Lewis posted his fourth 100-yard rushing game of the season, carrying the ball a career high 26 times for 102 yards, including an eight-yard TD burst in Pitt State's 16-point first quarter. Cleo Chandler Jr. also rushed the ball eight times for 32 yards and his third touchdown on the season.
 
The Pitt State defense forced four Washburn turnovers – three fumbles and an interception by linebacker Alex Gaskill that sealed the victory in the game's final two minutes of play. Linebacker Dubem Okonkwo also registered a safety by dropping WU running back Hunter Browning in the end zone for a 9-6 Pitt State lead at the 5:48 mark of the first quarter.
 
Safety Brandon Mlekus made three tackles and two fumble recoveries in the contest, while defensive lineman Zeke Wall also recovered a loose ball. Linebacker P.J. Sarwinski paced the Gorillas with eight tackles (four solo), including two stops behind the line of scrimmage. Defensive end Keiondre Hall registered three stops, including a quarterback sack, and forced a fumble.
 
The Pitt State offense possessed the football for 40 minutes, 41 seconds in the contest compared to just 19:19 for the Ichabods (6-4, 6-4 MIAA). The Gorillas were 3-for-4 on fourth down conversions on the day.
 
Pitt State will close out the regular season by hosting Fort Hays State University next Saturday (Nov. 12) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. (CST) for the Gorillas' Senior Day contest.