MARYVILLE, Mo. - Sophomore running back Jay Harris rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Northwest Missouri State University football team to a 34-21 victory over the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos at Bearcat Stadium.

Harris tied for the fifth-highest single game rushing total in program history as he carried the ball 22 times for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Harris scored on plays of 15, 64, 45 and 44 yards. Harris's four rushing touchdowns tied for the third-most by a Bearcat behind a pair of five-TD efforts by Xavier Omon in 2007. Harris extended his consecutive 100-yard rushing games to six straight in Saturday's win.

Top-Five Rushing Games in Bearcat History
1. 309 yards, Xavier Omon vs. Chadron State (Dec. 1, 2007)
2. 292 yards, Xavier Omon vs. Grand Valley State (Dec. 8, 2007)
3. 290 yards, Claude Arnick vs. Missouri S&T (Nov. 16, 1974)
4. 286 yards, Joseph Johnson vs. Emporia State (Nov. 7, 1992)
5. 274 yards, Xavier Omon vs. Pittsburg State (Oct. 6, 2007)
    274 yards, Jay Harris vs. Central Oklahoma (Oct. 7, 2023)

The Bearcats rushed for 324 yards on 36 carries. Northwest threw for 154 yards to account for 478 yards of total offense on Saturday vs. Central Oklahoma. UCO put up 305 yards of offense, but could only generate a defensive touchdown in the second half after producing two rushing scores in the first half.

UCO running Trevon Woolfolk came into the contest ranked No. 9 in the nation in rushing yards with 535. Woolfolk was limited to 32 rushing yards on 13 carries. Woolfolk did score a pair of rushing touchdowns from two yards and one yard in the opening half.

The Bearcat defense forced three Broncho turnovers. Northwest tallied three sacks and six tackles-for-loss in the victory. The Bearcats had sacks from Andrew Dumas, Bryce Krone and Kobe Clayborne. Carter Olesen made his first career start and tallied three tackles and a forced fumble. Josh Turner and Charles Gadie each produced interceptions in the win. Dumas and Krone led the way with seven total tackles.

Northwest won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Bearcat defense forced a quick three-and-out to get the offense on the field. Northwest marched 64 yards in eight plays and the opening drive was capped by Harris scoring from 15 yards on the ground. Noah Guastella added the extra point to take a 7-0 lead.

UCO leveled the score at 7-7 after a lengthy 15-play, 71-yard drive that consumed 8:07 off the clock. Woolfolk scored on a two-yard touchdown with 1:15 left in the first quarter.

The Harris Show really got going in the second quarter as broke off touchdown runs of 64 and 45 yards to boost the Bearcat lead to 20-7 with 7:11 left in the half. Harris carried the ball four times in the second quarter for 149 yards and two scores.

Woolfolk pulled the Bronchos to within six at 20-14 on a one-yard plunge with 3:14 left in the second quarter.

Northwest looked to add to the lead just before halftime, but Guastella was unable to connect on a 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the first half.

Bearcat quarterback Mike Hohensee hit John Giagiari for a passing touchdown for the second straight week. Against UCO, Giagiari nabbed a 17-yard scoring strike from Hohensee with 10:23 remaining in the third quarter to give Northwest a 27-14 advantage. It marked the 46th career touchdown pass for Hohensee, which ranks him No. 10 in the Bearcat record book. 

Harris put the finishing touches on his first tour-touchdown game of his career with a 44-yard run that saw him stiff arm a couple of Broncho defenders en route to the end zone. Harris's fourth touchdown came with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter. HIs 44-yard scamper capped a seven-play, 81-yard drive that took 3:11 off the clock.

UCO posted the final score of the game on a 20-yard interception return by linebacker Noah West on a batted ball at the line. West's defensive score cut the Northwest lead to 34-21 with 8:52 to play. 

Northwest moved its mark to 3-3 overall, while UCO dropped to 2-4 overall. Northwest is 2-3 in MIAA play and UCO is 2-4 in league action.

Northwest will travel to St. Joseph, Mo., next Saturday to match up against the Missouri Western Griffons. Kick is set for 1 p.m. at Spratt Stadium.

NOTES: Northwest is 122-11 in Bearcat Stadium since 2001 ... Northwest is 6-0 at home against Central Oklahoma in the series between the two schools ... Northwest leads the all-time series with UCO, 11-4 ... UCO head coach Adam Dorrel went 57-5 in MIAA action as the Bearcat head coach from 2011-16 and he has suffered four MIAA losses this season ... Northwest is a perfect 48-0 when leading at the half under head coach Rich Wright ... Northwest has won 76 straight games when leading at the half ...