August 31st, 2024 8:00pm
PITTSBURG — The Pittsburg State University football team ushered in the 2024 campaign and the Tom Anthony coaching era with an emphatic 19-3 victory over Ferris State University Saturday (Aug. 31) before 10,189 fans at Carnie Smith Stadium.
The No. 6 ranked Gorillas forced four turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions – in the contest and limited the No. 3 ranked Bulldogs 171 yards of total offense.
Austin Schmitt tied the school single game record by booting four field goals in the contest, connecting on kicks from 33, 22, 36 and 36 yards. He had a fifth attempt blocked early in the second quarter.
Pitt State took a 6-3 lead at halftime before pushing its cushion to 16-3 on Cleo Chandler Jr.'s 13-yard touchdown scamper with 5:33 to play in the third quarter.
The Gorillas essentially drove the final nail in the coffin with a 15-play, 50-yard drive that ended with Schmitt's final field goal. The drive, which started with 14:54 to play in the game, consumed 9:10 of play clock.