Emporia State 37
Central Missouri 31 (2OT)th and 1 conversion and a 3rd and 11 conversion) and the Mules just one, a 25 yard Fugate TD pass to Seth Hebert. In the second overtime, the Hornet defense struck again, picking off Fugate in the endzone, and two plays later, QB Braxton Marstall hit Mitchell Foote for the game winning touchdown.

Fort Hays State 34
Northeastern State 7Washburn 47
Nebraska Kearney 44 (3OT)

The Lopers fought hard, coming back from being two touchdowns behind halfway through the fourth quarter to force overtime, but could not find a way to keep Ichabod RB Mickeel Stewart out of the endzone in the extra periods. Stewart scored touchdowns in all three stanzas (in addition to a 4th quarter TD), and was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. The Lopers led the entire first half and went up by a touchdown on their first drive of the third quarter, but the Ichabods took control after that, scoring 3 unanswered touchdowns in the second half to go up 27-13 with 11:49 left in the game. The Lopers had been in this situation many times over the past few years, and the vast majority of those games were essentially over at this point. But not this game. The Lopers answered with a 17 play, 82 yard touchdown drive to pull within seven, scoring on 4th and goal from the one with 5:05 left to play. After allowing one first down on the ensuing drive to the Ichabods, the Loper defense forced a punt, and got the ball back at their own 34 yard line with 3:01 to play. Fifteen plays later (which included an eight yard run by QB Steve Worthing on 4ththMissouri Western State 21
Central Oklahoma 31Pittsburg State 50
Lindenwood 19Northwest Missouri 45
Missouri Southern State 21

The Lions gave the Bearcats the toughest time so far this season, actually leading 13-0 after the first quarter. As good as the Bearcat defense is, they have struggled a bit early on in games, as Washburn is the only team to not score on the Bearcat defense in the first quarter this year. After trading punts to start the game, the Lions had a good drive going and finished it off with a 34 yard touchdown run by quarterback TJ Fleeton. A quick three and out by the Bearcats and the Lions got the ball right back. Facing 3rd and 12 on the first set of downs, Fleeton found Josh Hadley for a 62 yard touchdown pass. The Bearcats blocked the PAT, but it was the first time the Bearcats trailed by double digits since Week 3 of last year against UCM, when the Mules led 23-6 in the third quarter. It was also the first time Northwest had trailed after the first quarter since their playoff game in Duluth in 2014 (the Bulldogs led 6-0), which also happened to be the last time the Bearcats lost a game. As high as the hopes for a huge upset may have been for the Lion fans in Hughes Stadium, they were gone in the next fifteen minutes of gametime. The Bearcat offense woke up and went to work after the Hadley TD, driving down and scoring on the first play of the second quarter on a 19 yard run by Phil Jackson. The defense also woke up and forced a three and out on the ensuing drive, and a shanked punt gave the Bearcats the ball on the MSSU 40. Eight plays later and the Lion lead was gone, as Cameron Wilcox scored on a one yard TD run to put NWMSU up 14-13. Another 3 and out, another Bearcat TD followed by another 3 and out and yet another Bearcat TD and Northwest was in firm control at 28-13 going into halftime. The Bearcats scored another TD on the first drive of the third quarter, and the game was essentially over, although a big 72 yard Scott Brayden TD pass and 2pt conversion to make the score 35-21 forced the Bearcat starters to play in the fourth quarter for the first time of the year.


Taking a look at some old friendsMy rankings through Week 4Quick takes from around the regionthWeek 5 PreviewsNortheastern State (1-3) at Missouri Western State (2-2) 1PM
Hall of Fame Game

The Riverhawks came back down to earth a bit last week against Fort Hays, and look to bounce back and get the Dimonic McKinzy show going again. Trouble is, they are playing another good defense, so that may be easier said than done. Still, the Riverhawks are a much better passing team than running team, and while ranked third overall in defense, the Griffons are ranked 11thth in MIAA). The Riverhawks are decent against the pass (6th overall and 3rdPittsburg State (3-1) at Washburn (3-1) 1PMth), so they will need a solid game from Stewart out of the backfield to have a chance. The Ichabods have some history on their side, but I think Pitt has the better team and Beck gets to .500 against his former fellow Gorilla Assistant Coach Craig Schurig.

PSU 37
WU 27

Missouri Southern (0-4) at Nebraska Kearney (0-4) 2PMthLindenwood (1-3) at Fort Hays State (3-1) 2PM
HomecomingCentral Oklahoma (1-3) at #13 Emporia State (3-1) 2PMthth against both the pass and the run, and they are allowing 455 yards and 37 points a game. The Hornets offense is ranked 7th in the league, but a lot of that is skewed by the game against the Bearcats. The Hornets have not had much trouble moving the ball or scoring since that game. If they can run the ball the way they did last week against the Mules, it could be a long game for the Bronchos. Still, something tells me this is going to be a close game. Perhaps the Hornets will still be riding high after the big win in Warrensburg, but I think the better reason is the UCO offense is big and physical and ESU has had troubles against those types of teams in the past.

UCO 37
ESU 34

#15 Central Missouri (3-1) vs #1 Northwest Missouri State (4-0) 5PM
At Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missourithrd overall). They lead the league in scoring at 44.8 per game. The Mules have tumbled down the rankings a bit, but again, level of competition has a lot to do with that. They are the sixth ranked defense in terms of yardage (8th against the run and 3rd