PITTSBURG, Kan. - The Missouri Western football team (2-4, 1-4 MIAA) regained the lead to open the second half against No. 10 Pittsburg State (4-1, 3-1 MIAA), but the Gorillas scored 21 consecutive points that helped propel them to the 31-20 victory.
 
Pitt State struck first with a field goal in their first possession of the contest. The Griffons responded immediately with a lengthy 13-play, 94-yard drive that was capped off with a 1-yard rush from Jayden Williams - his second career and first rushing touchdown of the season.
 
The Gorillas regained the lead with a 4-yard rushing touchdown from Noah Hernandez with three seconds remaining in the first quarter and held the 10-6 advantage into the halftime break.
 
Missouri Western began the second half strongly, with the Griffon defense forcing a three-and-out in the opening possession. Kody Kirk followed up with a 38-yard touchdown toss to Jonas Bennett, giving MWSU a 13-10 lead. Pitt responded with a rushing touchdown on the next drive and later extended their lead to 11 points with a pick-six from Hayden Koscicki.
 
In the fourth quarter, PSU added to its lead with a rushing touchdown at 10:06 to go up 31-13. The Griffons did not go away quietly, as Kirk found Tyler Carey for a 50-yard score - the second time the duo has connected from 50 or more yards this season. However, the Gorillas bled the final 7:38 off the cloak with 12 rushes and a fourth-down pass to secure the victory.
 
Brandon Berwald received the nod at starting quarterback for the first time this season. The junior was 10-14 for 111 yards before exiting the game in the second quarter with illness. Kirk remained in the game for the remaining 30:23, finishing 9-17 for 173 with two touchdowns and an interception.
 
Bennett reached the century mark for the second straight week with 115 yards on six receptions and his first touchdown of the season. Carey (70) added the second-most receiving yards, followed by senior Jake Berrey (31).
 
On the ground, Western tabbed 107 yards on 26 attempts. Marrell Fountain led the way with 65 yards on eight carries.
 
On defense, junior Kienen Gaskin led the team with nine tackles. Garret Watson added seven tackles and a sack, while Evan Williams recorded a team-high 1.5 sacks, and Trey Nesbitt added a sack himself.
 
Chad Dodson Jr. was 16-26 for 230 yards passing, and Hernandez contributed 74 of the team's 146 yards rushing. Alex Gaskill finished with a team-leading six tackles on defense.
 
The Griffons will return to action next week on the road against No. 12 Central Missouri at 1:00 p.m. from Walton Stadium in Warrensburg for the MIAA Game of the Week, which will be broadcast locally on 38 The Spot. Pregame coverage starts at noon on the Varsity Network App and GoGriffons.com/listen.
 
UCM will play Fort Hays State tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Hays, Kansas.