Northwest Missouri State football fell behind early, but dominated the final three quarters en route to a 49-32 victory over Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon.
The Mules marched down the field on their second possession of the day and punched in the first score of the game on a two-yard touchdown run. Northwest's Chris Ruhnke threw an interception on the first play of the ensuing drive setting up a short field and another UCM touchdown.
Trailing 14-0, the Bearcats (5-1, 4-0 MIAA) battled back. Zechariah Owens led an eight-play, 75 yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Luke Mathews.
That possession sparked Northwest.
Midway through the second quarter, facing a fourth and goal from the one, Owens lowered his shoulder and scored on a quarterback keeper. The following drive also ended on a fourth down conversion — this time from the two-yard line. Owens plunged into the end zone again to give Northwest a 21-14 advantage late in the first half.
UCM kicked a field goal as time expired in the second quarter, but the Bearcats still remained in front 21-17.
A potent Northwest rushing attack began to open the game up in the third quarter. Quincy Torry ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run less than three minutes into the second half to boost the Bearcat lead to 28-17.
Nine minutes later, it was Owens again on the ground, this time a third-and-goal keeper from the eight yard line. The Bearcats rushed for 133 yards in the third quarter, while a stingy defense kept the Mules in check.
UCM finally managed to find the end zone early in the fourth quarter, but Owens threw another score to Mathews and ran another from 44 yards out to put the game on ice.
In total, the redshirt freshman quarterback accounted for six touchdowns, while racking up 204 all-purpose yards in the win.
Mathews posted a season-high nine catches, 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Carter Edwards flew around the field throughout the day totaling 15 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Northwest returns home next Saturday to face Fort Hays State at 1:30pm. Pregame on KXCV 90.5, KRNW 88.9 and the Bearcat Public Media app begins at 12:30pm.