ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Pittsburg State scored early and never trailed while earning its first win of the season with a 20-7 victory over Missouri Western on Saturday.
The Gorillas (1-1) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in their first road contest of the 2020 season, driving 75 yards on 13 plays with quarterback Mak Sexton and Drew Winn hooking up for a 20-yard scoring completion to put PSU on top 7-0 with 8:19 to play in the opening quarter.
Pittsburg State pushed its lead to two possessions early in the second quarter when Jayden Snyder capped off a nine-play, 56-yard drive with a 41-yard field goal to make the score 10-0 with 13:12 remaining in the first half.
Missouri Western’s lone touchdown of the game came on the opening kickoff of the second half when Sam Webb returned the ball 90 yards to the house to trim the lead to 10-7.
The Gorillas answered back on their ensuing possession with an 89-yard drive that culminated in Sexton throwing his second touchdown pass of the game, this time a 17-yard connection to Jalen Martin, to make the score 17-7 with 10:26 to play in the third.
Pittsburg State’s final points, and the final points in the game, came on a 23-yard field goal from Snyder with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation.
STATS
Sexton completed 18-of-32 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Winn led PSU in rushing with 79 yards on 13 carries, adding three receptions for 28 yards and two total touchdowns. Tyler Adkins added 62 yards on 23 carries. Martin led the Gorillas with seven receptions for 66 yards.
Anthony Vespo completed 17-of-33 passes for 137 yards and two interceptions, while Brandon Hall rushed six times for 26 yards. Cooper Burton caught eight passes for 55 yards.
UP NEXT
Pittsburg State is back on the road for a 4 p.m. matchup with Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 14
