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MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


Local Sports

Sept. 23, 2023Game | Football

Northwest 59, Lincoln 0


(Photo courtesy Northwest Athletics)

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Northwest Missouri State got back in the win column Saturday afternoon with a wire-to-wire 59-0 victory over Lincoln.

The Bearcats (2-2, 1-2 MIAA) dominated every facet of the game, racking up 481 total yards while limiting the Blue Tigers to just 50.

Sophomore quarterback Chris Ruhnke was aided early on by a potent running attack. Tank Young broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run on the third play from scrimmage for the Northwest offense. Just over two minutes later, Jay Harris scored his first touchdown of the day on a one-yard plunge.

Leading 14-0 with the football inside the five yard line, the Bearcats used some improvisation to score for a third time in the opening quarter. Harris appeared to be stuffed for a loss when he shoveled the football to Ruhnke to his left. The quarterback scampered into the end zone for his first career score.

Through the first three drives of the game, the Bearcats ran the ball 11 times to just five passes.

Early in the second quarter, the Northwest special teams broke through. Rhett Jordon blocked a Blue Tiger punt, and Grant Cooney recovered at the Lincoln 26. Two plays later, Ruhnke fired a 20-yard completion to Kashan Griffin for the quarterback's first passing touchdown of his career.

Ruhnke and Griffin hooked up for another touchdown on the following drive as Northwest pulled ahead by 35 points.

The sophomore hit Jamar Simpson in the front of the end zone late in the second quarter to put the game out of reach before halftime.

Harris posted his fourth consecutive game rushing over the century mark with 105 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Ruhnke completed 12 passes on 16 attempts for 170 yards and three scores, while rushing for one.

The Bearcat defense racked up 11 tackles for loss, led by Jake Fisher's two tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Carter Oleson finished with four tackles and a sack. Charles Gadie had four tackles and a pass break-up in the win.

Northwest hits the road to face Central Missouri Saturday at 1pm. Pregame on KXCV 90.5/KRNW 88.9 begins at noon.