EDMOND, Okla. — The Pittsburg State University football team played a masterful game of complimentary football as the Gorillas knocked off previously unbeaten University of Central Oklahoma, 35-21, Saturday (Oct. 26).

The No. 6 Gorillas (7-1, 6-1 MIAA) vaulted into first place in the MIAA standings with the win over the No. 9 Bronchos (7-1, 5-1 MIAA) in front of 9,085 fans at Chad Richison Stadium.

The Pitt State defense limited UCO, which entered the game averaging an NCAA Division II best 55.4 points per game, to just 21 points. The Gorillas held the Bronchos scoreless over the game's final 26:53 of game clock.

The Pitt State offense pounded out a season high 322 rushing yards and 545 total yards, including five rushing touchdowns. Running back Cleo Chandler Jr. carried the ball 19 times for a career best 130 yards and scored the game's decisive touchdown on a five-yard run with 1:58 to play to break open a one-score game. He also scored on a 17-yard TD scamper on the game's opening possession, staking the Gorillas to an early 7-0 advantage.

Pitt State scored the game's first 14 points and maintained double-digit leads of 21-7 and 28-14 in the first half.

Running back Noah Hernandez carried the ball 18 times for 65 yards with a pair of first-half scoring jaunts. Tight end Luke Niggemann added a 66-yard touchdown run as the Gorillas quarterback out of the "Wildcat" formation.

Quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. completed 12 of 30 passes for 233 yards and an interception. He connected with wide receiver Kuron Parchmon two times for 73 yards and with wide receiver Christian Carter three times for 57 yards.

The Pitt State defense limited UCO quarterback Jett Huff to 29 of 61 passing, his first sub .500 passing game of the season. The Gorillas registered 15 pass breakups in the game, including four by cornerback Kristian Cross, and forced the Bronchos into a season high nine punts on the day.

Defensive end Malik Berry made six tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss and two PBUs. Safety Jordan Rogers also had three tackles and two PBUs, including a drive-halting fourth down deflection at the PSU goal-line with 34 seconds to play in the game to seal the win.
 
The Gorillas will return home to Carnie Smith Stadium to battle the University of Central Missouri next Saturday (Nov. 2).