Northwest Missouri State’s stifling defense propelled the Bearcats to a 14-9 upset victory over No. 11 Emporia State on Saturday.
Northwest (3-2, 3-1 MIAA) overcame seven turnovers, limiting Emporia State (4-1, 3-1 MIAA) to 216 total yards (161 passing, 55 rushing). The Bearcats won their third consecutive game.
Chris Ruhnke’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Luke Mathews with 11:05 remaining in the fourth quarter sealed the win. Mathews caught four passes for 96 yards.
Emporia State took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on Gunnar Gundy’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kahmann. Northwest tied the game at 7-7 on Henry Martin’s 4-yard quarterback draw.
The Hornets briefly led 9-7 after a safety, but the Bearcat defense dominated, stopping Emporia State’s goal-line drive in the third quarter.
Northwest forced a three-and-out in the fourth quarter and marched 86 yards, culminating in Ruhnke’s go-ahead touchdown pass.
The Bearcats’ defense secured the win, sacking Emporia State quarterbacks twice in the final minutes and breaking up two passes in the end zone.
Tank Young rushed for 62 yards, and Ruhnke threw for 244 yards despite four interceptions. Shane Fredrickson led the defense with nine tackles and a pass breakup.
Northwest visits Washburn next Saturday at 3 p.m. at Yager Stadium in Topeka, Kansas.
Missouri Western’s 10-7 halftime lead vanished as Washburn scored 17 unanswered points to start the second half, securing a 24-16 victory at Spratt Stadium on Saturday.
The Griffons (2-3, 1-3 MIAA) managed just 24 yards in the third quarter and trailed 24-10 with 13:54 remaining. Washburn (1-3, 1-2 MIAA) scored on its first three second-half drives.
Missouri Western’s defense made late stops, including TreVon Holmes’ fumble recovery and Brandon Johnson’s blocked field goal. However, the Griffons added only two fourth-quarter field goals.
Cody Watson scored 10 of Missouri Western’s points, making 3-of-3 field goals, including a career-long 51-yarder. Kody Kirk, in his first start, completed 27-of-58 passes for 266 yards.
Washburn’s Keller Hurla threw for 218 yards and an interception, adding 66 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Jonas Bennett set career highs with 11 catches for 147 yards for Missouri Western.
The Griffons face No. 10 Pittsburg State (3-1, 3-0 MIAA) on the road next Saturday.