TOPEKA — The Pittsburg State University football team overcome a determined opponent in Washburn University and a slew of crazy plays to escape with a 39-31 road win over the Ichabods Saturday (Sept. 21).

The No. 10 ranked Gorillas (3-1, 2-1 MIAA) scored 23 first-quarter points and led 23-7 five minutes into the contest, but Pitt State still needed a 12-play, 66-yard fourth quarter scoring drive to seal the eight-point win.

Pitt State forced a fumble on the opening kickoff of the game and quickly turned the takeaway into a 7-0 lead on quarterback Chad Dodson Jr.'s 17-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jack Roberts.

The Gorillas tried a surprise onside kickoff following the score, but WU's Tyce Brown caught the ball and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to knot the score at 7-7.

Dodson countered with a 78-yard scoring connection to wide receiver Christian Carter three plays later; and the Gorillas blocked a punt out of the back of the Ichabods end zone on the ensuing drive for a safety and a 16-7 advantage.

Pitt State's Jaylen Fuksa then fielded the free kick from WU's Trenton Brehm and returned it 65 yards for a kickoff return touchdown and a 23-7 margin with 9:54 to play in the opening period.

The Gorillas led 23-14 following the end of the first quarter and Pitt State stretched its lead to 26-14 on Hayden Koscicki's 31-yard field goal with 9:43 to play in the second period.

The Ichabods (0-3, 0-2 MIAA) rattled off 14 unanswered points to push in front, 28-26, early in the third quarter. Pitt State countered with a six-play, 75-yard drive with Cleo Chandler Jr. scoring from two yards out for a 32-28 lead.

After the Ichabods trimmed the margin to 32-31 on a 37-yard field goal from Brehm, the Gorillas offense put together a nearly seven minute scoring drive to provide the final eight-point margin. Luke Niggemann scored his first collegiate touchdown on a one-yard run out of the wildcat formation to the decisive score with 2:38 remaining in the game.

The Ichabods drove to the PSU 31 yard line but the Gorillas' Thomas Cook broke up a Hayden Clark fourth down pass attempt to hold WU on downs with 28 seconds remaining.

Dodson completed 20 of 33 passes in the game for 287 yards and two scores. Carter and Roberts combined for nine receptions totaling 159 yards.

Linebacker Jack Barkley logged a pair of quarterback sacks among his five tackles and forced a fumble in the contest.

The Gorillas will enter a bye week before returning to action by hosting Missouri Western State University on Oct. 5 at Carnie Smith Stadium.