Northwest Missouri State's dominance of Missouri Southern continued Saturday afternoon despite a push from the Lions.
The Bearcats (3-1, 2-0 MIAA) earned a 21-14 win to run its win streak over MSSU to 30. It's the fourth longest uninterrupted win streak over a NCAA Division II opponent currently active.
The ball game was scoreless until late in the first half when a fortunate carom set the Bearcats up for the first points. A Chris Ruhnke pass to Erwin Nash near midfield was kicked in the air and landed in the hands of tight end Andrew Waltke. Waltke took it 44 yards into the red zone. Te'Shaun Porter rushed into the end zone from one yard out four plays later to spot Northwest a 7-0 lead.
The score remained that way until Southern's Nathan Glades crossed the goal line with 3:38 left in the first half to tie the game.
Northwest quickly responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by another rushing touchdown for Porter.
The defense forced a pair of turnovers on the day, including Clayton Power's first career interception. The senior defensive lineman caught the pass at the line of scrimmage and was tackled at the Southern 37. The Bearcats wasted no time and capitalized three plays later on a swing pass from Ruhnke to Dominic Myers that he took 25 yards for what would be the game-deciding score.
The Lions found the end zone on a long pass play with 2:06 remaining in the game. Northwest recovered the onside kick and put the game away.
Porter finished the day with 98 rush yards and two touchdowns. Defensive lineman Grant Berry finished with a pair of tackles-for-loss and his first career sack in the win.
Northwest cornerback Antwon Jenkins Jr. intercepted a pass for the second straight week.
The Bearcats return home next Saturday, September 27 for a Family Weekend matchup against Central Oklahoma. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm. Pregame on KXCV 90.5, KRNW 88.9 and the Bearcat Public Media app begins at 12:30pm.