By MATT PIKE
No. 14 Bearcats bounce back in Top 25 matchup against No. 24 Mules
The No. 14 Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat football team won its eighth straight home game beating No. 24 Central Missouri 42-20 at Bearcat Stadium.
The Bearcats started quickly, building a 14-0 lead through the first quarter behind two rushing touchdowns from Quincy Torry. On the second possesion of the game, Northwest moved 65 yards with Zechariah Owens completing passes of 25 yards to Trevor Spady and nine yards to Erwin Nash before Torry converted on a 4th-and-1 with a 16-yard touchdown run. After forcing another Mules punt, the Bearcats offense marched down the field where Torry scored from four yards out, the first quarter ending with that 14-0 advantage.
The Mules opened the second quarter cutting the lead in half, scoring on a three yard touchdown pass from Jordan Pachot to Morgan Pearson, and the Bearcats answered the short-field touchdown with a 75-yard drive, capped by a 21 yard touchdown pass from Owens to Spady. After the Bearcats' touchdown response, Eric Smith III and Ray Smith III combined on a third-down sack, and a 32 yard run by Torry created one last chance, but an interception at the goal line sent the game to the halftime break with Northwest leading 21-7.
Northwest continued to pour on the scoring to open the third quarter driving 74-yard in an eight play touchdown drive that moved the lead to 28-7 as Torry punched the ball in from one yard out. UCM answered with a 75-yard drive, scoring on a 14-yard pass from Pachot to Marlon Lindsey, but missing the extra point to leave Northwest ahead 28-13 heading into the final quarter. In the fourth, after an interception from Elijah McFadden, Northwest scored early in the quarter after ending the third with a short field, Owens finding Spady again in the endzone for a five yard touchdown strike.
Less than a minute after the touchdown, Baruch Hasabu intercepted Pachot and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, capping the Bearcats scoring and pushing the lead to 42-13. It was Hasabu's first career pick-six. The Mules put together a late touchdown drive, scoring with four seconds left in the game on a 23 yard touchdown pass from Logan Malachuk to Armand Russell, before Northwest kneeled out the final seconds to finish the 42-20 win.
Owens completed 12 of 18 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns while adding 12 rushes for 58 yards. Torry ran 12 times for 98 yards with three touchdowns. Spady caught three passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns after entering the game with one career touchdown reception.
Up next, Northwest (4-1, 3-1 MIAA) travels to Hays, Kansas to face the Fort Hays State University Tigers (3-3, 2-2 MIAA). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Despite offensive lull, MoWest takes Homecoming win over UNK
A fast start in the first half helped the Missouri Western State University Griffons football team overcome a slower second half, claiming a Homecoming win over Nebraska-Kearney 31-21 at Spratt Memorial Stadium.
MoWest, who beat the Lopers at home for the first time since 2016 and for the first time at all since 2023, was firing on all cylinders offensively to start, scoring touchdowns on each of their first four possessions. Isaiah Tate threw a four yard touchdown pass to Malik Moore to start the scoring in the first quarter. After the Griffons forced a turnover on downs by UNK, MoWest struck again with another Tate touchdown pass, this time finding Victor Taylor Jr with a five yard strike to take a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Lopers got on the board to start the second quarter on a four yard rushing touchdown from Isaiah Harris, MoWest answered though on the ensuing drive with Tate throwing his third touchdown pass of the half, a 36 yard throw to Peyton Hatfield to extend the lead to 21-7. Another UNK turnover on downs gave the Griffons the ball back, and with 5:07 remaining in the half MoWest capped their first half scoring with Rickie Dunn punching the ball in from one yard out, giving the Griffons a 28-7 lead at the halftime break.
The MoWest offense stalled in the second half, the Griffons outscored 14-3, getting the first score in the third quarter on a 21 yard field goal from Latrell Armstrong. UNK cut into the lead with a 14 yard touchdown run by Calin Arndt. In the fourth quarter the Lopers scored the lone touchdown, a one yard rush from Ziggy Harper, however missed chances cost UNK as the Lopers missed a pair of field goals in the second half, one from 56 yards away and the other miss, on a 37-yard attempt, due to a block by Tedrick Tate Jr. with 2:27 to play.
Tate completed 20-of-28 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Hatfield had nine catches for 135 yards and a score while Moore had five catches for 77 yards and a score. Dunn notched his second 100-yard game of the season with 101 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown.
MoWest (3-3, 2-2 MIAA) is back on the road Saturday to face Pittsburg State (1-5, 1-3 MIAA). Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
No. 4 Ravens set new season high for total offense in road win
The No. 4 Benedictine Raven Football team set a new season high for total yards offensively beating Central Methodist University on the road 52-14 at Davis Field.
The Ravens finished with 494 yards on offense and matched their season high for passing touchdowns as Patrick Heitert threw three touchdown passes. Heitert finished with 261 going 14 of 21 through the air while also rushing for 24 yards and scoring a touchdown on the ground. A nine yard touchdown pass to Kameron Dover and a 38 yard passing touchdown to Joseph Lagafuaina from Heitert put Benedictine up 14-0 to start the game.
Leading by two touchdowns, the Eagles cut the lead in half with its first touchdown, a three yard rush by Darius Shakor George, from there the Ravens scored 38 unanswered points, starting the second quarter with Heitert's rushing touchdown. Special teams extended the lead for Benedictine as Dalton Witherspoon blocked a punt that Isaiah Hasten scooped up and returned for a 14-yard touchdown. Christian Klobe tacked on a 24-yard field goal before Brendan Haisenleder scored on a four yard run, the first of two rushing touchdowns, to send the Ravens into the halftime break with a 38-7 lead.
Midway through the third quarter, Haisenleder scored his second touchdown from one yard out before the Ravens capped their scoring on the 52 yard touchdown pass from Heitert to Xiomar Hernandez. A 20 yard run from Jordan Rowe ended the scoring as the Eagles added their final touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Ravens finished with 218 yards rushing.
Hernandez led the way rushing with 90 yards off 10 carries and adding two catches for 56 yards with a touchdown. Lagafuaina finished with three catches for 62 yards and a score while Osburn had two catches for 39 yards. Kolbe Sexton recorded an interception. Hasten added two tackles and was in one for a loss to go along with his blocked punt touchdown return.
Benedictine (6-1, 2-0 Heart South) returns home on Saturday to celebrate Community Day and Senior Day at 1 p.m. against MidAmerica Nazarene (5-2, 2-0 Heart South).
Roberts tops 200 again as No. 14 Tigers roll over Texas A&M
Jamal Roberts recorded another career day and the No. 14 Missouri Tigers earned a second SEC win in a row, beating the Texas A&M Aggies 27-6 at Faurot Field.
Roberts rushed 34 times for 222 yards and two touchdowns, one week after running 24 times for 211 yards and three scores against Florida, to help lead Missouri to a win. After opening the game with only an Aggies 53 yard field goal from David Olano in the first quarter, a quarter that saw both teams punt a combined four times and throw interceptions on back-to back drives, Missouri scored in the second quarter to take the lead for good with Austin Simmons finding Cayden Lee on a 32 yard touchdown pass.
Through the remainder of the half, the Tigers managed just a 50 yard field goal by Blake Craig, taking a 10-7 lead into the halftime break. A 39 yard field goal attempt from Craig was blocked at the end of the half by the Aggies. Starting with the ball in the second half, Craig made up for the blocked field goal, pushing Missouri ahead 13-7 knocking through a 51 yard field goal.
Late in the quarter Roberts found the endzone for the first time as the clock hit zero which awarded on video review after he was initially ruled down short of the end zone. Olano hit a 27 yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Texas A&M before Roberts sealed the game breaking through the line and rushing for a 54 yard touchdown.
Simmons went 14-of-28 throwing for 147 yards with a touchdown and throwing his first interception of the season adding four rushes for 24 yards. Lee had seven catches for 94 yards with a touchdown.
Missouri (5-1, 2-1 SEC) will next hit the road to face No. 9 Ole Miss (4-1, 2-1 SEC). Kickoff will be at 2:30pm, pregame will air at 1:30pm on KFEQ (680AM/95.3FM).
Jayhawks can't contain Parker as No. 12 Utah runs to victory
The Kansas Jayhawks managed just a touchdown in the second half, after trailing by just four at halftime, and the No. 12 Utah Utes ran to a 41-24 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
The Utes controlled the game through the first quarter, scoring on their first two drives with a five yard touchdown run by Wayshawn Parker and a 12 yard rush from Devon Dampier. The Jayhawks trailed 14-0 after the opening quarter, punting twice and throwing an interception, but recovering a fumble on the Utes final drive of the quarter.
The turnover by Utah set up for the first touchdown for Kansas a short three play drive ending with a three yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Marshall to Dylan Edwards. The Utes answered with their lone scored of the second quarter, a six yard touchdown pass from Dampier to Noah Bennee extending the lead to 21-7. Both teams exchanged punts before a Utah turnover on downs set up a rally by the Jayhawks.
With 42 seconds remaining in the half, Marshall rushed in for a six yard touchdown, his first career rushing score, to cut the Utes lead to a touchdown. On the ensuing drive, Dampier threw an interception to Jalen Todd, the first career interception for Todd, and with four seconds remaining Martin Connington knocked through a 34 yard field goal to send the Jayhawks to the halftime break trailing 21-17.
Kansas started the second half having to punt to Utah, and the Utes responded with a 15 play drive consuming over seven minutes of clock, extending their lead with a two yard touchdown pass from Dampier to Ricky Johnson, however the extra point attempt would be blocked. The Jayhawks answered, scoring with 27 seconds left in the third quarter, Marshall finding Nik McMillan for a 29 yard touchdown pass going into the final quarter trailing 27-24.
The Jayhawks would be unable to score again though. Dampier threw a one yard touchdown pass to Semi Taulanga extending the lead, and after Kansas turned the ball over on downs, the Utes scored again on a 90 yard touchdown run by Parker. The Jayhawks turned the ball over on downs again with 5:25 remaining and Utah held the ball for the remaining time.
Marshall was 19-of-37 for 333 yards with two touchdowns and an interception adding nine rushes for 21 yards and a score. Edwards ran nine times for 22 yards with three catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. Cam Pickett led the way with eight catches for 134 yards while McMillan had four catches for 89 yards and a score.
Next, Kansas (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) will travel to Manhattan, Kansas for the Sunflower Showdown with Kansas State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12). Kickoff is at 11am and the game will air on FS1.
Wildcats can't slow Weigman and Overmyer against No. 22 Houston
The Kansas State Wildcats could find no rhythm as Conner Weigman and tight end Patrick Overmyer connected for four touchdown passes helping No. 22 Houston beat Kansas State 35-16 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium
A one yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Overmyer started the scoring in the game, capping a 12 play drive for Houston. Kansas State was forced to punt on the ensuing drive, but got the ball back after the Cougars missed a field goal, only managing a field goal themselves however as Luis Rodriguez knocked through a 29 yard field goal with zeroes on the clock in the opening quarter. The Wildcats trailed 7-3 after the first, and didn't score again until the second half.
Weigman threw his second touchdown pass to Overmyer from two yards out to extend the lead for the Cougars and after a Kansas State punt Houston scored again on a 13 yard rushing touchdown from Makhi Hughes. Trailing 21-3 at the halftime break, the Wildcats again punted to start the third quarter, setting up the third touchdown pass between Weigman and Overmyer from eight yards, before Kansas State found their own tight end in the endzone, Avery Johnson throwing a 13 yard touchdown pass to Garrett Oakley, failing the two point conversion attempt.
Weigman answered the touchdown on the ensuing drive with his fourth touchdown pass to Overmyer, and the final score of the game for Houston, from two yards out. The Wildcats were forced to punt following the touchdown, and on their next offensive drive Johnson threw an interception, before scoring on the final offensive drive of the game, capping a 13 play drive with a six yard passing touchdown from Johnson to Jaron Tibbs.
Johnson was 16 of 30 through the air for 182 yards with two touchdowns and an interception adding nine rushes for 39 yards. Rodney Fields Jr rushed 14 times for 46 yards adding two catches for 36 yards. Oakley had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown while Tibbs had four catches for 33 yards and a score.
Next, Kansas State (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) will stay at home and host Kansas (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) in the Sunflower Showdown. Kickoff is at 11am with the game airing on FS1.
Nebraska falls short against No. 7 Indiana after fourth quarter rally
The Nebraska Cornhuskers led throughout the game, but the defending National Champions No. 7 Indiana rallied in the fourth quarter taking a 20-17 win over Nebraska at Memorial Stadium
The Cornhuskers started the game with a long 13 play drive that ended with a 28 yard field goal from Kyle Cunanan. Indiana answered with a shorter six play drive, tying the game with a field goal of their own from 42 yards out off the leg of Nico Radicic, but the Cornhuskers took the lead back before the end of the first quarter with a 10 play drive as Nyziah Hunter rushed in for a 10 yard touchdown, giving Nebraska a 10-3 lead at the end of the first.
The teams exchanged punts in the second quarter, with Cunanan missing a field goal from 40 yards out with 20 seconds left in the half to end a 16 play drive. Nebraska held a 10-3 lead at the halftime break and the Hoosiers cut into that lead, the lone score in the third quarter a 35 yard field goal from Radicic. Anthony Colandrea threw an interception on the drive following the field goal for the Cornhuskers, but both teams exchanged punts to head into the final frame with Nebraska leading 10-6.
Indiana opened the fourth quarter with a punt, setting up the Cornhuskers to extend their lead. Nebraska put together a five play drive, culminating with a 39 yard rushing touchdown from Colandrea, pushing the Huskers ahead 17-6. From there, the Indiana comeback began. The Hoosiers scored on the ensuing drive in one play with their first touchdown, a 75 yard pass from Josh Hoover to Nick Marsh, cutting the lead to 17-13.
Nebraska was forced to punt on the ensuing drive, and Indiana took the lead on the next drive, a five play drive ending with Hoover finding Marsh again, this time on a 44 yard pass. Trailing 20-17, the Huskers turned the ball over on downs on the following drive, Colandrea throwing an incomplete pass on a 4th and 9. indiana was forced to punt, but again Nebraska turned the ball over on downs with Colandrea being sacked on a 4th and 10 play.
The Cornhuskers got one more chance after forcing another Hoosiers punt, but with four seconds left, attempting a hook and ladder play, Nebraska was called for an illegal forward pass ending the game. Six of the Huskers' 10 losses to Top 25 teams under Head Coach Matt Rhule have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Colandrea was 25-of-43 for 263 yards with an interception adding 17 runs for 47 yards with a touchdown. Jamal Rule ran 15 times for 53 yards and Hunter added two carries for 10 yards and a score. Jacory Barney Jr. had nine catches for 108 yards while Luke Lindenmeyer added seven catches for 45 yards.
Nebraska (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) will next travel to Eugene, Oregon to face the No. 13 Oregon Ducks (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten). Kickoff time has not yet been announced.
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