Nebraska Kearney 14
Northwest Missouri State 52Missouri Southern State 21
Emporia State 49Central Missouri 38
Missouri Western State 34thLindenwood 29
Washburn 34

The Lions from St. Charles went into Topeka stinging from a disappointing defeat in Week two and left the town with a bona fide QB controversy. Starting QB Mason Bendigo led the Lions to a touchdown on the opening drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass, but that was the lone bright spot of his night. A 62 yard touchdown bomb from Ichabod QB Derek McGinnis followed by a LU fumble deep in their own territory, and the Lions were down 14-7 on the first play of the second quarter. Bendigo was sacked and fumbled on the ensuing drive and later threw an INT to MIAA Defensive Co-Player of the Week Cody Heiman, and all the sudden the Ichabods were up 34-7. That was when Lindenwood went to backup AJ Thigpen, who was apparently warmed up by handling the punting duties on the day. Thigpen used his legs as well as his arm to drive the Lions down for their second score to cut the lead to 34-13. This spark must have ignited a fire under the defense because they stiffened up the rest of the game and did not allow the Ichabods to score again, picking off McGinnis twice to give the ball back to Thigpen, who led three more scoring drives to cut the Ichabod lead to 34-29. The defense forced a three and out, and the Lions were looking to take their first lead since the opening drive. On this drive Thigpen was sacked and left the game due to injury, and Bendigo was called upon to lead the offense. A sack on his first play and an interception on his second play back in effectively squashed any hopes for a Lion victory. Although they forced the Ichabods to a quick three and out again, Bendigo was forced to throw up a Hail Mary as time expired, and was intercepted for the third time of the day.

Northeastern State 37
Pittsburg State 38 (OT)Central Oklahoma 20
Fort Hays State 34The MIAA: First quarter rankings and awardsWeek 4 Preview#18 Emporia State (2-1) at #6 Central Missouri (3-0) 1PM
Family WeekendFort Hays State (2-1) at Northeastern State (1-2) 1PM
HomecomingthWashburn (2-1) at Nebraska Kearney (0-3) 2PMththPittsburg State (2-1) at Lindenwood (1-2) 6PM
Family Dayth#1 Northwest Missouri State (3-0) at Missouri Southern State (0-3) 6PMMissouri Western State (2-1) at Central Oklahoma (0-3) 6PMth this year, with a rating of 106.4. Missouri Western had troubles last week stopping the Mules offense, but the Mules were much more pass heavy than the Bronchos are.

The issue for the Bronchos this year is the same as it was last year: the defense is just not getting off the field. Opponents are converting half of their 3rd