The third-ranked Northwest Missouri State football team improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in MIAA play with a victory over Fort Hays State University (0-3, 0-3) on Saturday evening, 49-14, at Lewis Field Stadium. The game was the Bearcats’ first road test of the season and early on, Northwest erased any doubts of the outcome, jumping out to 42-7 halftime advantage.
Quarterback Trevor Adams completed 13 of his 15 pass attempts for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Brady Bolles was 6-of-12 for 72 yards and a touchdown. Combined, the duo connected with nine different receivers.
Running back Billy Creason rushed for three first half touchdowns, finishing the night with 26 yards on eight carries. Creason became the first Bearcat since Jordan Simmons to rush for three touchdowns, with Simmon’s feat coming last year against Emporia State on Nov. 3 at Bearcat Stadium. Robert Burton III had a team-high 95 yards on eight carries, including a 61 yard run in the first quarter to set up Creason’s and the Bearcats’ second touchdown of the evening.
Defensively, linebackers Eric Reimer and DJ Gnader had a team best six tackles. Despite not forcing an interception, the Bearcats pressure forced three Tiger fumbles. Cody Matthewson and Bryce Enyard each forced and recovered fumbles. Jacob Vollstedt also forced a fumble that was recovered by Zach Maloley late in the second quarter.
The Bearcats finished the evening with 519 total yards and 23 first downs. Northwest was very efficient in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all five trips inside the Tiger 20 yard line. The Bearcats also held a 31:03 advantage in time of possession to Fort Hays’ 28:57.
Northwest was forced to punt on the first drive of the game but promptly responded with touchdown drives on the ensuing six possessions. After two Billy Creason touchdown runs of two and one yards, respectively, Bolles hit Reuben Thomas for a 40 yard score to begin the second quarter. After a Fort Hays score, Adams hooked up with receiver Bryce Young for a 33 yard strike to bring the score to 28-7. Creason would add his third rushing touchdown with 3:25 left in the half, setup by a 21 yard run by Phil Jackson II, that put the ball inside the Tiger three yard line.
Fort Hays would fumble the ensuing kickoff return and on the very next play, Adams connected with receiver Clint Utter on a 17 yard touchdown pass.
Northwest’s final scoring drive came on its’ opening possession of the third quarter after Fort Hays fumbled on its own nine yard line. Bolles finished the quick two-play drive with a six yard touchdown run.
Northwest will host Nebraska-Kearney next week at Bearcat Stadium at 1 p.m. The game will be a part of Family Weekend on campus.
— Northwest Sports Information —