Box Score

MARYVILLE, Mo. – The No. 13 Northwest Missouri State football team bounced back Saturday to rout Fort Hays State 48-10 at Bearcat Stadium in MIAA football action.

Northwest (2-1, 1-1) rolled to 543 yards of total offense as Tyler Seals and Brady Bolles combined for 255 yards passing and 140 yards on the ground. The duo also added three touchdowns; two through the air from Seals and one rushing from Bolles.

Not to be outshined by the offense, the Northwest defense held Fort Hays State (0-3, 0-3) to only three points before a fourth quarter touchdown run. The Bearcat defensive line was impressive as well, sacking the Tigers twice and adding six quarterback hurries.

The Bearcats raced out to an early lead as Seals marched the Bearcats 59 yards in nine plays connecting with Jordan Simmons on a jet sweep for the game's first score. Seals would finish 12-of-19 for 146 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start.

After a Fort Hays State field goal the Bearcats would break the game wide open scoring five more times before the half to take a 34-3 lead into the locker room.

James Franklin scored from 9-yards out to complete a 14 play 83-yard drive just before the end of the first quarter. Franklin carried nine times for 77 yards, his highest total of the season.

Northwest scored again at the 12 minute mark in the second quarter, as Bolles raced 23-yards cutting across the field for his first collegiate touchdown. Bolles would give the Bearcats their first 100-yard rusher of the season as the redshirt freshman ran for 111 yards and threw for 109.

Todd Adolf added two second quarter field goals including a 48-yarder that tied his career high at the end of the first half.

The Northwest offense dialed back the play calling in the second half, but would get the first special teams touchdown of the season late in the third quarter. Brian Dixon recovered a blocked punt at the FHSU two-yard line extending the Northwest lead to 41-3.

The Bearcats still have not lost back-to-back games since 2001 as they bounced back from last week's disappointing loss. The win also moves the Bearcats winning streak inside Bearcat Stadium to 12 games, which is tied for the fourth longest streak in Northwest history.

Northwest will travel to Nebraska-Kearney for the first time for the first of three consecutive meetings with new MIAA members. Kickoff from Kearney is set for 4 p.m.