A slow second quarter spelled an end to a nine-game winning streak as the 3rd-ranked Northwest Missouri State Bearcats fell to Central Missouri 31-21 Saturday at Walton Stadium.

It was the first time since 2003 the Bearcats have lost to the Mules, which was also the last time Northwest started the season 0-1 in league play as the Bearcats would go on to claim the MIAA Championship. Overall Northwest moves its record to 1-1 while Central Missouri improves to 1-1 overall and 1-1 in MIAA play as well.

The Mules jumped out to an early 7-0 lead as Ian Colter found LaVance Taylor in the flat. Taylor made one move and then raced 62-yards for the game’s first score. Colter would go on to throw for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the UCM win.

Northwest would even the score as a James Franklin leap over the line on 4th-and-1 evened the score at 7-7. The Bearcats were held under 100 yards rushing as a team for the first time since a 2010 win over the Mules in the National Quarterfinals. Franklin led Northwest with 51 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown.

The second quarter would spell doom for the Bearcats as the Mules would score 17 unanswered points to extend its lead to 24-7.

Northwest would miss a 39-yard field goal attempt on its first possession of the second half. From there the Bearcats would try to recover, but the Mules would march 78 yards in 10 plays to extend the lead to 31-7 after missed field goal.

The Bearcats would scramble for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter; however the deficit proved too large.

Trevor Adams found Jordan Simmons across the middle for a 42-yard touchdown pass with 13:54 left in the game. A successful two-point conversion attempt for the Bearcats made the score 31-15.

The final score for Northwest would come after a Brandon Dixon interception set up a 34-yard touchdown pass from Adams to Bryce Young. Northwest would again go for two, however it would be unsuccessful.

Adams finished the day 28-of-49 for 335 yards, his third highest total since becoming the starter last year. He added two touchdowns with the second going to Young late in the fourth quarter to make the score 31-21.

Adams targeted Young 11 times for 163 yards and one touchdown in the loss.

Northwest returns home next Saturday to face Fort Hays State as they host Military Appreciation Day at Bearcat Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

— NWMSU Sports Information —