ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Running back Zahmari Palode-Gary rushed for three touchdowns to help spark No. 12 Pittsburg State University to a 44-20 victory over Missouri Western State University Saturday (Oct. 18) at Spratt Memorial Stadium.

The Gorillas and Griffons had to overcome a 52-minute weather delay five minutes into the game.

Western (1-6, 0-5 MIAA) took a 7-3 lead with 9:49 to play in the second quarter when quarterback Kane Donovan tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryce Marcus III.

Pitt State (6-2, 5-1 MIAA) countered with a two-yard scoring run by Palode-Gary to take a 10-7 lead and kicker Austin Schmitt booted a 50-yard field goal for a 13-7 advantage with one second remaining in the first half.

Palode-Gary added scoring runs of eight yards and three yards in the third quarter and Schmitt, who converted three field goals in the game, booted a 56-yard kick as the Gorillas tacked on 17 points in the frame.

Quarterback Jackson Berry also tossed a seven-yard TD pass to wide receiver Jaelon Travis with 7:07 remaining in the game; and wide receiver Greyson Holbert capped Pitt State's scoring with a 14-yard TD jaunt on an end-around play with 4:12 to go.

Berry completed 14 of 24 passes for 195 yards in the contest. Pitt State also tacked on 264 rushing yards to finish with 459 total yards. Running back Cleo Chandler Jr. carried the ball eight times for a team-leading 80 yards, while running back Jahkobie Smith added seven carries for 64 yards. Palode-Gary finished with 13 rushes for 54 yards. Wide receiver Kuron Parchmon made three receptions for 60 yards, while Travis added three catches for 34 yards.

Safety Steven Ward II posted a team-leading 10 tackles (four) solo, including three tackles-for-loss and a quarterback sack. He also made one of Pitt State's four pass breakups in the game. The Gorillas registered four quarterback sacks and limited the Griffons to 317 total yards. Safety Reggie King and defensive end Kiros Martin added six tackles apiece for the Gorillas.

Pitt State, which posted its sixth straight win after an 0-2 start to the season, will enjoy a bye week on Oct. 25 before returning home to face MIAA rival Missouri Southern State University on Nov. 1.