No. 1 Northwest Missouri played an entire game, finally, in a 50-21 route at Lindenwood, Central Missouri blanked Washburn 44-0 and Nebraska-Kearney picked up its first win of the season over still-winless Northeastern State, but the stories of the day in the MIAA come out of Pittsburg and Edmond.

In the Jungle, things didn't start well for No. 16 Pittsburg State. The Gorillas marched into the Emporia State red zone on their first 3 possessions, but came up with a missed FG, a blocked FG that was returned for a TD and a turnover on downs from the 1 yard line. The Gorillas' 3 red zone fails were as many as they had had the entire season, and they resulted in a 10-0 lead for Emporia late in the first quarter.

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At Central Oklahoma, the No. 25 Bronchos could only muster 3 possessions the ENTIRE first half, as Missouri Southern used their triple-option to near-perfection, holding the ball for over 20 minutes and running 46 plays to UCO's 20 in the first two quarters.

But the Gorillas and Bronchos, in much different ways, turned things around and the MIAA's two remaining one-loss teams both advanced with huge victories to keep their postseason hopes very alive.

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Pittsburg (5-1) got things going immediately after their failed 4th-down try. They forced a 3-and-out and a punt, and QB Anthony Abenoja connected with WR Gavin Lutman for 53 yards for a TD on the next play. It was the first of 31 unanswered points for the Gorillas en route to a convincing 45-17 victory over Emporia (3-3).

Things changed quickly for Central Oklahoma (5-1), too. Their first possession of the second half was a 1-play, 70-yard rush from RB Jake Gandara. The Bronchos forced a 3-and-out, and on the ensuing punt, a bad snap led to UCO taking over at the MSSU 22. Two plays later, the 'Chos led 14-7 after another Gandara touchdown run.

But UCO couldn't keep the momentum going like Pittsburg did, with just 1 more TD sandwiched between 2 Southern scores in the 4th quarter. Regulation ended in a 21-21 tie and it took Central Oklahoma 3 overtimes to outlast the Lions, who lost their second consecutive overtime game, 43-41 on a Chas Stallard run for a successful 2-point conversion.

Back in Pittsburg, Abenoja and Lutman were locked in all day, connecting 10 times for an MIAA-record 268 yards. Lutman's career day (he also had 4 TDs) bested Missouri Southern legend and eventual NFL star Rod Smith's record set back in 1991. Abenoja finished 26 of 39 for 438 yards and 5 TDs.

Central (2-4) Oklahoma and Missouri Southern (traded TDs and EPs in the first two overtime sessions in Edmond. Beginning in the third OT in college, though, teams must go for 2. Southern scored a TD to open the third OT, but couldn't convert their 2-point try, giving UCO a chance. QB Chas Stallard hit Connor Pulley from 7 yards out for the tying score, and then kept it himself and ran it in for the win on the 2-point attempt.

Gandara, who opened the Broncho scoring with 2 TDs in a 3-minute span to begin the 3rd quarter, added a 3rd rushing TD in the extra frames, finishing with 215 yards on the ground.

Lutman's day will be the obvious pick for MIAA Offensive Player of the Week and should certainly put him among the candidates for D2Football.com National Player of the Week, but his and Gandara's weren't the only big days in the MIAA on Saturday.

In Warrensburg, UCM QB Hayden Hawk scored 3 rushing TDs and added another 194 yards on the ground in the Mules' (4-2) blowout of Washburn (2-4). Sure, that's nice, but definitely NOT the best performance on the ground from an MIAA quarterback on Saturday.

In Tahlequah, Okla., UNK QB had himself a DAY. He rushed 21 times for 242 yards and 4 TDs, helping the Lopers (1-5) get out of the winless category against Northeastern State (0-6).

Who woulda thunk it? In Northwest's 29-point win over Lindenwood (1-5), nobody had a HUGE day offensively, but instead the Bearcats (6-0) shared the load - as they have done so well in recent years - scoring in all 3 phases of the game (offense, defense, special teams).

In the MIAA's only night game, Missouri Western (4-2) beat Fort Hays 26-7. Griffon RB Raphael Spencer carried the ball 23 times for 165 yards and 2 TDs. Ed Williams had 14 receptions for 201 yards in a losing effort for Hays (3-3).