(Kingsville, TX) — NW Missouri St. started their football season on Saturday night and they started it in a big way. The Bearcats thumped Texas A&M Kingsville 48-3.
Northwest outgained Javelinas 476 to 179 — they led 17-0 after the first quarter, 24-3 at the half and cruised the rest of the way.
Kingsville had the ball first and ran 12 plays but it only went 38 yards and they pinned the Bearcats to their own 11 on the punt. Northwest only ran 5 plays on their first possession with only one first down and kicked it back to the Javelinas who started their next drive at the 50.
On 2nd and 10 from the Northwest 20 yard line, QB Dawson Mills was intercepted by Jackson Torry and returned 94 yards for a touchdown to give the Bearcats a 7-0 lead.
Two plays later, Mills was picked off again this time by Antwon Jenkins that turned into a 22 yard field goal to make it 10-0. Kingsville went 3 and out on their next drive and punted it back to the Bearcats who went 50 yards on 9 plays with Te’Shaun Porter scoring on a 1 yard TD run to make it 17-0.
Kingsville got the ball and moved it to the Northwest 47 and on 3rd and 6, Mills was sacked by Jack Jensen for a loss of 10 yards forcing another punt. The Bearcats started at their own 11 and Mason Shorb was intercepted by Kingsville but the Javelinas could only get three points to cut the lead to 17-3.
With poor field position again, Northwest moved down the field — with a 3rd and 12 on the Kingsville 12, a Shorb pass was incomplete but pass interference was called on the defense to give Northwest a 1st and goal and Quincy Torry took advantage with a 2 yard TD to make it 24-3 which was the halftime score.
Porter added two more TD runs in the third quarter from 9 yards and 1 yard to make it 38-3. The Bearcats added a short field goal and Jaron Cannon Jr. got a 27 yard TD late to end the scoring.
For Northwest, Zechariah Owens was 11 of 17 passing for 144 yards and Shorb was 7 of 11 throwing for 88 yards and an INT. Porter had 16 carries for 100 yards and 33 TD. Torry had 15 carries for 70 yards and 1 TD. Cannon added 6 carries for 53 yards and another score.
Nodaway Valley grad Trent Warner got in the game at Defensive Line and got one tackle assist.
NW Missouri St. will not play again until Saturday, September 12 with their home opener against Washburn.
NOTES: Northwest has won 94 straight games when leading at the half … Northwest is 5-1 all-time vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville … Northwest is ranked No. 6 in the D2Football.com Top 25 and No. 8 in the AFCA Top 25 … Porter produced his second career 100-yard rushing game … the 48 points are the most scored by a Bearcat team in a season opener since a 65-3 trouncing of Truman State in 2011.
Box Score: Click HERE
