PITTSBURG -- Gunnar Gundy threw a pair of touchdowns and rushed for a third to lead No. 21 Emporia State University to a 24-21 road win over No. 4 Pittsburg State University Saturday (Sept. 14) at Carnie Smith Stadium.

The Gorillas (2-1, 1-1 MIAA) led 7-0 midway through the first quarter, but the Hornets (3-0, 2-0 MIAA) rattled off 17 straight points to take a 17-7 lead at the intermission.

Pitt State's Noah Hernandez scored on a one-yard run with 9:14 to play in the fourth quarter to draw within three points at 17-14. The Gorillas defense forced the Hornets to punt the ball away with 5:51 remaining in the game, but ESU's Cade Stephenson intercepted an errant pass one play later. Gundy scrambled for a 16-yard scoring scamper on the next play to stake ESU to a 24-14 advantage with 5:45 to go.

The Gorillas countered by driving 75 yards in eight plays with Chad Dodson Jr. hitting Jack Roberts for a 13-yard scoring connection with 3:29 remaining. The Pitt State defense then forced a quick three and out, but the Hornets forced Dodson into four straight incompletions to seal the victory.

Dodson finished the game 24 of 41 passing for 345 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. Kuron Parchmon caught six passes for 90 yards, including a 19-yard first quarter TD reception. Hernandez carried the ball 16 times for 99 yards.

In addition to three takeaways, the Hornets defense held the Gorillas on downs three times. Pitt State's reserve placekicker Gentry Cole also missed a pair of first half field goals from 36 and 30 yards. The Gorillas Austin Schmitt missed the game due to an injury.

Linebacker Alex Gaskill made a team-leading 11 tackles for the Pitt State defense. Brandon Stegall added a career-best eight stops.

The Gorillas will travel to Topeka to face Washburn University next Saturday (Sept. 21) at Yager Stadium.