By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
#9 Bearcats battle back but lose close one to #7 Gorillas
Northwest Missouri State University outscored Pittsburgh State 19-3 in the second half, but were unable to overcome an early deficit in a 24-22 loss on Saturday.
With the win the Gorillas remain undefeated with a 6-0 record, while for the first time since 2018, the Bearcats have lost more than one regular season game falling to 4-2.
The scoring started late in the first quarter for Pittsburgh State, and it started on a trick play, as quarterback Chad Dodson Jr would find wide receiver Bryce Murphy on a 49 yard flea flicker.
Northwest would answer that score in the second quarter with a 29 yard field goal by Cole Lammel, but the Gorillas wouldn't let up as Dodson Jr. would go on to find tight end Devon Garrison and wide receiver Kolbe Katsis for touchdowns of 64 and 3 yards respectively. Pittsburgh State lead 21-3 at halftime.
The deficit did not discourage the Bearcats though, as they would come out in the third and fourth quarters scoring two straight touchdowns, a rushing score by Jamar Moya and a touchdown pass from Mike Hohensee to Jadon Brady, before allowing another Pittsburgh State score.
Trailing 24-16 late in the fourth, quarterback Braden Wright would rush for a one yard touchdown with 12 seconds left. After a failed two point conversion, Northwest would attempt an onside kick but would fail to recover, allowing the Gorillas to eat the final seconds off the clock for the win.
While Hohensee threw the only touchdown of the game for Northwest, Wright led the way in passing with 301 yards through the air, also rushing for 27 yards to go with his rushing score. The Bearcat defense shined in the second half, holding the Gorillas to only 21 yards of total offense, after allowing 288 yards in the first half.
Northwest will return home over the next two weeks. They'll first matchup against Washburn in Maryville this Saturday for Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm.
Griffons can't slow down #24 Nebraska Kearney on Homecoming
Missouri Western showed some bright spots offensively on Homecoming at Spratt Memorial Stadium on Saturday, falling 39-18. You can read our full recap HERE.
Huskers win second in a row following Scott Frost firing
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Casey Thompson threw a go-ahead 27-yard touchown pass to Trey Palmer with 8:54 to play and Nebraska beat Rutgers 14-13 Friday night.
It handed the Scarlet Knights their 21st consecutive home loss to a Big Ten Conference opponent.
Safety Myles Farmer set up the go-ahead score with an interception. Thompson, who also threw a 7-yard TD to tight end Travis Vokolek to open the second half, connected on the next play from scrimmage as Palmer made a sliding catch in the end zone.
The Cornhuskers (3-3, 2-1 Big Ten) rallied from a 13-0 halftime deficit. Rutgers (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) lost its third straight game.
“I feel good. We won the game,” said Thompson after Nebraska won its second straight game. "It’s a lot easier to be sore after a win than a loss. I know I’m going to be sore. We’re going to be sore. It was a physical game on the road. A lot of adversity to push through tonight.”
Nebraska now sits in a three way tie for the top of the Big Ten West, alongside Purdue and Illinois. The Huskers will get their shot at Purdue next in a matchup on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30pm and the game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Kansas State survives scare against Iowa State
AMES, Iowa (AP) — Adrian Martinez passed for 246 yards and rushed for 77, and Chris Tennant kicked a late field goal to lead No. 20 Kansas State to a 10-9 win over Big 12 rival Iowa State on Saturday night.
Tennant kicked a 30-yard field goal with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter to rally Kansas State (5-1, 3-0 Big 12) for the win. The Cyclone (3-3, 0-3 Big 12) have scored just one touchdown in their last 20 possessions.
Jace Gilbert made three field goals to give Iowa State a 9-7 lead entering the fourth quarter. Gilbert missed three times a week earlier at Kansas, including a potential game-tying kick in the closing seconds.
The loss snapped Iowa State's six-game home winning streak in night games. A crowd of 60,561 packed Jack Trice Stadium, the largest crowd to attend a matchup between the Cyclones and Wildcats.
“I know it's hard to win here,” Kansas State Head Coach Chris Klieman said. “I've been here enough.”
The Wildcats will carry their undefeated conference record into a bye this week. They'll next matchup against a TCU team that has been showing their power in the Big 12 on October 22nd.
Jayhawks fall for first time in 2022, lose star quarterback
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — TCU quarterback Max Duggan passed for three touchdowns in the second half, including the game-winning 24-yarder to Quinten Johnston with 1:36 left, and No. 17 TCU beat 19th-ranked Kansas 38-31.
The Horned Frogs are 5-0 for their best start since 2017 after winning the matchup of surprise unbeatens. Duggan was 23 of 33 for 308 yards and outdueled Kansas backup quarterback Jason Bean in a wild second half.
Jalon Daniels, who led the Jayhawks to five straight wins for their best start since 2009, suffered an injury to his right shoulder late in the first half.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold liked his team's resiliency.
“I’m proud of the way we battled, being down, losing Jalon,” he said. “I think we left opportunities out there. I’d like to commend (Bean), the way he’s handled it to be ready. If he is asked to be the starter next week, I’m very confident he’ll have a very good week of preparation and take advantage of his opportunity to be a starter.”
Leipold said he would know more about Daniels' status after further testing on his shoulder Monday. The coach didn't rule out Daniels for the next game.
In the new polls, despite the loss, Kansas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) remained ranked at #19. The #19 Jayhawks tough road will continue as they will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to matchup against a slumping Sooners team. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 11am and will be aired on ESPN2.
Missouri lets another close one slip away against Florida
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jaydon Hill intercepted two passes, including one he returned 49 yards for a touchdown, and Florida held on to beat Missouri 24-17 on Saturday to end a six-game skid in Southeastern Conference play.
Hill’s pick-6 was among a bevy of big plays that gave the Gators their first league victory in a year. His second interception ended a third-quarter drive that had reached Florida’s 16-yard line.
It was a breakout performance for the third-year sophomore who was playing his second game since returning from a knee injury that wiped out his 2021 season.
Brady Cook was 22-of-30 passing for 220 yards for Missouri. Nathaniel Peat ran for 117 yards and a score.
“It’s not a lack of effort. It's not a lack of fight,” Mizzou coach Eli Drinkwitz said. "Just got to find a way. ... There’s some things we’re getting better at, but we’re not getting the results.”
Missouri (2-4, 0-3 SEC) is suffering it's first three game losing streak of the Eli Drinkwitz era. The Tigers will now get a chance to recover and evaluate with a bye this week. They'll next matchup against Vanderbilt on October 22nd.