Turnovers plagued Northwest Missouri State Saturday afternoon in Kansas City, KS as Pittsburg State topped the Bearcats 27-14 in the regular season finale.
Northwest (9-2, 8-1 MIAA) outgained Pitt State and limited the Gorillas to three points in the second half, but four lost fumbles in the first two quarters quickly putting the Bearcats in a 21-7 hole.
After taking the opening kickoff, Northwest started with a bang on a 65-yard run by Quincy Torry down to the Pitt 15-yard line. Six plays later, Zechariah Owens hit Erwin Nash for the opening touchdown.
The Bearcats forced the Gorillas into a three-and-out on their first possession, and the Green and White began marching again. Chris Ruhnke hit TJ Williams-Bey to convert a third and 12 to the Pitt 38, but the bar was ripped away from Williams-Bey and scooped by the Gorillas' Kristian Cross. Cross returned the ball into Northwest territory setting up the game-tying touchdown.
Driving again on the next possession, Zechariah Owens had the ball knocked free from his grasp at the Gorilla 37. Elijah Morton recovered it, and PSU turned it into points three plays later to go on top 14-7.
Cooper Warren lost a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, but the Northwest defense stood tall and pushed the Gorillas out of field goal range.
Despite the adversity, Northwest was still within striking distance trailing by seven. Moving the football midway through the second quarter, Ruhnke swung a pass to Madixx Morris. Morris had the ball punched free, and it was picked up by Quintin Kirby. The PSU safety returned it 71 yards for a touchdown to open up a 21-7 advantage.
The Gorillas tacked on a field goal late in the half to go up 24-7 at the break.
Northwest held Pitt out of the end zone the entire second half and only surrendered a fourth quarter field goal. The Bearcat offense wasn't able to churn out anymore points until mid fourth quarter when Ruhnke found tight end Gannon Gragert for a touchdown.
The Bearcats produced 427 yards of total offense, while holding the Gorillas to 364 yards and 2-12 on third down.
Torry rushed for 101 yards on eight carries.
Nash snared a career-high seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Northwest and Pitt State shared the MIAA title. Now both get set for the NCAA Division II Playoffs beginning Saturday, November 22.