ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — The Missouri Western State University defense blocked the game-tying point-after conversion attempt midway through the fourth quarter and later forced a fumble on Pittsburg State University's final offensive play to preserve a 31-30 upset win Saturday (Nov. 4) at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

The No. 23 ranked Griffons (8-2, 7-2 MIAA) snapped the No. 2 Gorillas (9-1, 8-1 MIAA) 20-game MIAA winning streak dating back to the 2021 season.

Pitt State led 17-10 at halftime but Western swung the momentum of the game with a 14-point third quarter as the Griffons pushed in front, 24-17.

The Gorillas knotted the score at 24-24 on Chad Dodson Jr.'s six-yard touchdown pass to Mario Kirby Jr. with 14:54 to play in the game, but Western countered with an 11-play, 73-yard scoring drive. Armani Edden capped the drive with a five-yard scoring pass to Jonas Bennett with 8:56 to go in the contest.

The Gorillas rallied again with Dodson firing a 45-yard touchdown pass to running back Cleo Chandler Jr. four plays later, but the Griffons blocked Austin Schmitt's PAT try to leave Pitt State down by a point.

After the Gorillas forced a Western punt, Pitt State quickly drove into Griffons territory. Western's Dakari Streeter sacked Dodson for a four-yard loss and knocked him from the game. A pair of penalties -- the Gorillas were flagged eight times for 78 yards in the game -- backed the Gorillas up and quarterback Ty Pennington was strip sacked by Streeter on 4th down from the Griffons 33 yard line to end the comeback bid.

Pitt State will close out the regular season by hosting Central Oklahoma next Saturday (Nov. 11) at Brandenburg Field/Carnie Smith Stadium.