a very good summaryin this week's National ColumnNorthwest Missouri State 47
Lindenwood 12Washburn 27
Central Missouri 29Missouri Southern State 42
Central Oklahoma 63

In the highest scoring game of the year in the MIAA so far (and third game breaking the 100 point barrier, all in the past two weeks), the Bronchos got back in the win column by scoring the most points in a game since 1955. UCO quarterback Chas Stallard, who got his first start of the 2016 season, ran for 136 yards and 4 TDs on 21 carries, and added another 138 yards and 1 TD through the air on 13 of 18 passing. Previous QB starter TJ Eckert came off the bench and added 129 passing yards and a TD on a perfect 5 for 5 day. Overall, the Bronchos rolled up 600 yards (with 333 coming on the ground), nearly having three 100 yard rushers and two 100 yard receivers. I said last week that TJ Fleeton would need a big day, and unfortunately for him, he did not. After completing his first four passes on the first drive, he would finish with only 29 yards on 5 for 10 passing and was benched in favor of Scott Brayden, who came into the game in the second quarter facing a 28-0 deficit. Brayden would have a very good day, finishing with 287 passing yards and 4 TDs. The Lions would outscore the Bronchos 42-35 once he came in, but the hole had already been dug.

Nebraska Kearney 21
Northeastern State 31

The Riverhawks led 17-0 at the half, recovered a fumble by UNK QB Steve Worthing on the first play of the second half, and drove down to make it 24-0 with 9:18 left to go in the third quarter. The Lopers then went on a run of their own, scoring touchdowns on each of their next three drives to make the score 24-21 early on in the fourth. Dimonic McKinzy then led the Riverhawks on an 11-play 75-yard drive, culminating in his 18 yard pass to Matthew Butler with 8:29 on the clock to close out the scoring on the day. Despite being sacked 6 times, McKinzy was able to throw for 293 yards and three TDs and an interception, and the Riverhawks gained another 171 on the ground for the win. Worthing finished with 269 yards with no TDs and an interception to go along with his fumble, and the Lopers are still looking for their first road win under Head Coach Josh Lamberson.

Missouri Western State 27
Fort Hays State 35

As is often the case in a game between evenly matched teams, turnovers were the difference in this one. Despite outgaining the Tigers 497-463 in total yardage, the Griffons lost the turnover battle 3-1, and yielded 14 points off those. Continuing their woes in the kicking game, they also missed another PAT and had a field goal blocked. The Griffons had pretty good success in bottling up Tiger running back Shaq Cooper, until he ripped off a couple long touchdown runs in the 4th quarter following turnovers to seal the game. Sie Doe, Jr. had 11 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble and earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors, and teammate kicker/punter Brandon Brown won MIAA Special Teams Player of the week for his efforts. The Tigers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with the win, while the Griffons fell back to .500.

Emporia State 41
Pittsburg State 36th TD on the day with 5 seconds to go, but it was too little too late. Emporia completely shut down the Gorilla rushing game, allowing only 51 yards on 25 carries, a paltry 2 yards per carry. Braxton Marstall had another huge day for the Hornet offense, throwing for 321 yards and a TD and adding another 73 and 2 TDs on the ground in his debut at Carnie Smith Stadium.



NWMSU (FHSU)
Harding (no playoff contenders)
Sioux Falls (MSU)

Still control their own fate (one loss):
ESU (FHSU)
Azusa Pacific (CWU, Colorado Mesa-OOC)
Central Washington (APU)
UMD (no playoff contenders)

Need a lot of help (2 losses):
UCM (no playoff contenders)
FHSU (ESU, NWMSU)
Southern Ark. (no playoff contenders)
Henderson St. (no playoff contenders)
Mankato (USF)
Winona (no playoff contenders)
Bemidji (no playoff contenders)


Week 9 Previews

Missouri Western State (4-4) at Washburn (5-3) 1PM
HomecomingthCentral Oklahoma (2-6) at #14 Central Missouri (6-2) 1PMLindenwood (1-7) at Nebraska Kearney (1-7) 2PMNortheastern State (2-6) at Missouri Southern State (1-7) 2PMth#24 Fort Hays State (6-2) at #6 Emporia State (7-1) 2PMth this year vs. 1st last year), while Emporia has been much stiffer against the run this year (3rd this year vs. 7thPittsburg State (5-3) at #1 Northwest Missouri State (8-0) 2:30PM
Homecoming
Broadcast on America Sports Network

Week 9 ends in Maryville, where the Bearcats will take on the Gorillas for the third time on campus since the series between the two teams at Arrowhead ended (the game will be televised nationally-complete listings hereth in the MIAA) and an alarming 483 yards per game (10thrdth in pass efficiency defense, so if he just keeps taking what the defense gives him, he is likely to have another big day. In a game likely to have two 300 yard passers, I think the Bearcats stay unbeaten in a bit of a shootout.

PSU 31
NWMSU 45

(Last week: 6-0)
(Season: 35-13)


As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post below. You can also follow me on Twitter @IanD2FMIAA.