2008 Woodie Awards
Northwest returns favor, blows out Pittsburg State
'Cats guaranteed share of conference title
Jerome Boettcher
Last updated: 11/2/06 at 11:35 AM CST Section: University Sports
KANSAS CITY-It might have to be changed to the Fall Blowout if this keeps up.
For the second straight year at the Fall Classic, one of the teams jumped out with a three score first quarter and never looked back.
This time the team wore green.
No. 2 Northwest tasted redemption blowing by conference rival No. 8 Pittsburg State 41-14 Saturday at the Fall Classic V at Arrowhead Stadium avenging a 21-point loss last season at the site and assuring themselves at least a share of the conference championship.
"They out-played us, they out-everything us," Pittsburg State running back Germaine Race said. "They beat the crap out of us."
Northwest (10-0, 8-0 MIAA) scored on its first four possessions and led 27-0 at halftime.
"After the second series, I just thought there was no way we can lose this football game," Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said. "We were so focused."
The Bearcats added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Northwest drove 80 yards on eight plays and scored on its first possession when Brant Gregg busted through for a three-yard touchdown.
Kendall Wright caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Josh Mathews while running in the slot.
Then backup Sheldon Cook put on a running clinic when he scorched the Gorilla defense for two touchdowns for 28 and 61 yards, respectively.
Pittsburg State (7-2, 5-2) finally got on the board late in the fourth quarter when Geno Waters threw a six-yard touchdown to Marques Nelson.
However, the Gorillas failed onside kick set up a short field for Northwest and tight end Mike Peterson rumbled in for a seven-yard touchdown run two minutes later.
"We've been on the ball, we're playing together as a team," Peterson said. "...We're a confident team."
Then a blocked punt by Gerit Hane gave Northwest their final score when E.J. Falkner scooped it up and ran it for a 17-yard touchdown.
"As I told our radio guys, things started out bad and got worse," Pittsburg State coach Chuck Broyles said.
Pittsburg State added another touchdown in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late as Northwest won their second straight game against Pittsburg State and possibly eliminated the Gorillas' playoff hopes.
Cook finished with 13 carries for 172 yards and quarterback Josh Mathews completed 16-of-20 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Wright again led the way catching eight passes for 93 yards and one touchdown.
If Northwest defeats Southwest Baptist Saturday in Bolivar, Mo., they will have won their first outright conference championship since 2002.
"We got part of it but we don't want to share it with anybody," Tjeerdsma said.
For the second straight year at the Fall Classic, one of the teams jumped out with a three score first quarter and never looked back.
This time the team wore green.
No. 2 Northwest tasted redemption blowing by conference rival No. 8 Pittsburg State 41-14 Saturday at the Fall Classic V at Arrowhead Stadium avenging a 21-point loss last season at the site and assuring themselves at least a share of the conference championship.
"They out-played us, they out-everything us," Pittsburg State running back Germaine Race said. "They beat the crap out of us."
Northwest (10-0, 8-0 MIAA) scored on its first four possessions and led 27-0 at halftime.
"After the second series, I just thought there was no way we can lose this football game," Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said. "We were so focused."
The Bearcats added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Northwest drove 80 yards on eight plays and scored on its first possession when Brant Gregg busted through for a three-yard touchdown.
Kendall Wright caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Josh Mathews while running in the slot.
Then backup Sheldon Cook put on a running clinic when he scorched the Gorilla defense for two touchdowns for 28 and 61 yards, respectively.
Pittsburg State (7-2, 5-2) finally got on the board late in the fourth quarter when Geno Waters threw a six-yard touchdown to Marques Nelson.
However, the Gorillas failed onside kick set up a short field for Northwest and tight end Mike Peterson rumbled in for a seven-yard touchdown run two minutes later.
"We've been on the ball, we're playing together as a team," Peterson said. "...We're a confident team."
Then a blocked punt by Gerit Hane gave Northwest their final score when E.J. Falkner scooped it up and ran it for a 17-yard touchdown.
"As I told our radio guys, things started out bad and got worse," Pittsburg State coach Chuck Broyles said.
Pittsburg State added another touchdown in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late as Northwest won their second straight game against Pittsburg State and possibly eliminated the Gorillas' playoff hopes.
Cook finished with 13 carries for 172 yards and quarterback Josh Mathews completed 16-of-20 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Kendall Wright again led the way catching eight passes for 93 yards and one touchdown.
If Northwest defeats Southwest Baptist Saturday in Bolivar, Mo., they will have won their first outright conference championship since 2002.
"We got part of it but we don't want to share it with anybody," Tjeerdsma said.
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