The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Curtis Meyer reporter
It was business as usual for the Pitt State Gorillas, as they went on the road to face the Northwest Bearcats. The Bearcats arguably gave the toughest challenge to Pitt State last year during the regular season, but it was a much different story this year.
“I thought it was a really good team. I thought the defense was playing very well, very fast. Our offense was playing well. They have really good team, I know they had three losses before we played them, but their quarterback came back so we knew that they were gonna be a really good team. I think we came out hot and ready to go and we kept our foot on the gas,” said junior Linebacker Luke Jennings.
It was a good defensive game for Pitt State, as they kept the Bearcats off the score sheet until late in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand. Jennings led the Gorillas in tackles, tallying forced fumble and pass breakup as well. Pitt State also came away with two interceptions in the second half, putting the final nail in the coffin for Northwest.
The Gorillas offense was solid, scoring four touchdowns, with three of those coming from freshmen quarterback Ty Pennington, all on the ground. Junior running back Noah Hernadez tallied the other touchdown for Pitt State, his third rushing touchdown of the season.
“I think it was a successful day, we did a lot of good things. I felt like we kind of put two halves together and it felt good to come out of there with a big win,” said Pennington.
It was a quiet start for both teams, as neither could make headway in the first quarter. Pitt State’s first drive fizzled on a fourth and two inside of the NWM ten-yard line, but they answered quickly in the second quarter, scoring on the first play for Pennington’s first rushing touchdown of the day.
The points kept coming, as Hernadez ran it in from three yards out, making it 14-0. After the Bearcats were stopped on a fourth and three thanks to a pass breakup from Jennings, Pennington cashed in again to make it 21-0. Pitt State took the 21-0 lead into halftime.
Neither team could make headway in the third, as both teams struggled to move the ball down the field. Pitt State took their 21-0 lead into the fourth quarter. It looked like the Gorillas would score quickly in the second, but a fumble inside of the NWM ten-yard line gave the Bearcats another chance.
The defense answered, with freshmen linebacker Bryce Johnson intercepting the ball and giving it right back to Pitt State. Pennington was able to rush it in for his third and final touchdown of the day, putting Pitt State up 28-0.
The Bearcats finally found some offense late, scoring from 24-yards out to keep hope alive. After the Gorillas punt was blocked, it looked like the Bearcats might have a glimmer of a chance, but that was quickly squashed when sophomore safety Carson Otworth came away with an interception to seal the win.
Pitt State will prepare to host Sioux Falls next week, on Oct. 28.