PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team scored 21 consecutive second-half points to help pull away for a 31-20 victory over Missouri Western State University Saturday (Oct. 5) at Carnie Smith Stadium.
 
Tight end Luke Niggemann, a redshirt freshman and former prep quarterback at Girard High School, scored a pair of rushing touchdowns out of the 'wildcat' formation to help spark the Gorillas (4-1, 3-1 MIAA) past the Griffons (2-4, 1-4 MIAA).
 
Linebacker Alex Gaskill also intercepted an errant pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown to help spark the Pitt State scoring surge.
 
The Gorillas, who led 10-6 at halftime, fell behind 13-10 five minutes into the third period when Kody Kirk tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jonas Bennett.
 
Chad Dodson Jr. completed 16 of 26 passes for 230 yards in the game. Kuron Parchmon caught four passes for 70 yards, while Jack Roberts added seven grabs for 61 yards.
 
Noah Hernandez carried the ball 17 times for a game-high 74 yards, including a four-yard touchdown scamper with three seconds remaining in the first quarter. Cleo Chandler Jr. added 15 rushes for 53 yards.
 
Hayden Koscicki booted a 23-yard first quarter field goal to give Pitt State an early 3-0 lead in the contest.
 
Gaskill made a team-leading six stops, while defensive lineman Cole Sample added five tackles. Defensive lineman Jeremy Sharp posted Pitt State's lone quarterback sack in the game.
 
The Gorillas will travel to Kearney, Neb., next Saturday (Oct. 12) to face MIAA rival Nebraska-Kearney at 2 p.m. (CDT). The Lopers rolled to a 35-0 non-conference victory over Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday.