JOPLIN, Mo. -- Quarterback Chad Dodson Jr. passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns to help lead No. 6 ranked Pittsburg State University to a 42-17 road win over Missouri Southern State University Saturday (Sept. 7) at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.

The Gorillas (2-0, 1-0 MIAA) piled up 478 yards of total offense en route to recording their 36th win over the Lions (0-2, 0-1 MIAA) in the last 38 match-ups between the schools.

After falling behind 7-0 60 seconds into the contest, Dodson led Pitt State on a quick five-play, 75-yard drive with Cleo Chandler Jr. hauling in a 30-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 with 12:43 to play in the initial period. Noah Hernandez, who rushed 13 times for a game-high 73 yards and a pair of touchdowns, added a five-yard scoring jaunt to put the Gorillas in front, 14-7, with 9:06 to play in the opening stanza.

Pitt State added a 70-yard Dodson to wide receiver Jack Roberts scoring connection and a 49-yard Dodson to tight end WIlliam Huggins scoring play to take a 28-10 lead to halftime.

Hernandez, who scored three times in the game, added a two-yard scoring run and a 13-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring for the Gorillas.

Linebackers Alex Gaskill and Jack Barkley paced the Pitt State defense with 10 and eight tackles, respectively. Barkley posted a pair of tackles-for-loss, while cornerback Dominique Shelmon registered two pass breakups in the contest. The Gorillas limited MSSU to 70 net rushing yards on 26 carries.

Pitt State will return to the friendly confines of Carnie Smith Stadium next Saturday (Sept. 14) to host MIAA rival Emporia State University in the Gorillas' Family Day game at 7 p.m. (CDT).