MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State remained unbeaten in MIAA play with a 52-3 win over Fort Hays State on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 18). The No. 19/15 ranked Bearcats moved to 6-1 overall and 5-0 in the MIAA, while the Tigers went to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA.
 
The Bearcats rushed for 437 yards, scoring six of their seven touchdowns running the ball. Three of the rushing touchdowns went for over 50 yards, two by Zechariah Owens, who scored from 56 and 73 yards out, and one by Quincy Torry from 85 yards out. Owens finished with 164 rushing yards on eight carries, while Torry had 114 yards on eight carries.
 
The Bearcats took control early by scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the game. FHSU countered with a 39-yard Zane Hall field goal late in the first quarter, but the Bearcats added a touchdown and field goal in the second quarter to lead 24-3 at halftime.
 
Northwest Missouri scored touchdowns on its first four drives of the second half to run away with the game. A pair of the scores were on the runs of over 70 yards. NWMSU led 45-3 by the end of the third quarter and tacked on another touchdown in the fourth.
 
The FHSU offense never could find any rhythm, struggling to just 131 total yards for the day. Caleb Heavner threw for 63 yards, while Curtis Douglas rushed for 27. Ryan Allen had 24 receiving yards. Michael Chavez led the Tiger defense with 10 tackles.
 
Owens and Torry led the Bearcats in rushing, while Chris Ruhnke threw for 80 yards. T.J. Williams-Bey had 48 receiving yards for NWMSU, while Zac McLeay led in tackles with four.
 
Fort Hays State will be on the road again next week at Washburn University. Kickoff in Topeka is set for 1 p.m. at Yager Stadium on October 25.