JOPLIN, Mo. – The Northwest Missouri State University football team put up a lopsided 59-0 victory over the Missouri Southern Lions Saturday at Hughes Stadium.
 
Northwest evened its season record at 2-2 and improved to 2-1 in MIAA play. Missouri Southern fell to 0-4 overall and 0-3 in MIAA action.
 
The Bearcats scored 21 first-quarter points and added 10 more in the second to take a 31-0 lead at the break. Northwest held Missouri Southern to two first-half first downs and 74 total yards. The Bearcats outgained the Lions in the opening 30 minutes, 251-74. MSSU did not have its first offensive snap on the Bearcat side of the field until less than a minute remained in the first half.
 
Northwest continued the thumping in the second half by putting up 28 more points to complete the 59-0 shutout. It is the 12th time the Bearcats have posted a shutout under head coach Rich Wright. It is the third time Wright has put up a shutout over Missouri Southern.
 
Northwest tallied 24 first downs and 579 yards of total offense. Northwest rushed for 178 yards and threw for 401 yards on 28-of-36 passing.
 
The Bearcat defense limited Missouri Southern to six total first downs and 131 yards of total offense. The Lions rushed 19 times for 27 yards. MSSU threw the ball 30 times and completed 12 passes for 104 yards in the air. Northwest picked off MSSU quarterback Luke Sampson two times, including a pick-six for Shane Fredrickson.
 
Northwest quarterback Chris Ruhnke surpassed the 300-yard passing mark for the second time this season. Ruhnke went 26-of-33 passing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Backup quarterback Henry Martin went 2-of-3 passing for 70 yards and a touchdown. Martin also scored a pair of rushing touchdowns from six yards and two yards.
 
Eric Richardson nabbed three receptions for 85 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown pass to initiate the game's first scoring play. Zach Atkins caught his third career touchdown reception, while Jamar Simpson recorded his second career touchdown catch. John Giagiari tallied his first touchdown catch of the year and fourth of his career on an 8-yard pass from Ruhnke in the first quarter. Eleven different Bearcats caught passes against the Lions.
 
Jadon Brady led the running attack with 16 carries for 59 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season. Brady's two-yard rushing score in the first quarter was the fourth running touchdown of his career.
 
Northwest will be home next Saturday for Family Weekend against the undefeated Emporia State Hornets. Kick is set for 1:30 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.
 
NOTES: In the first quarter, Northwest held Missouri Southern to zero first downs and 19 total yards. Northwest gained 199 yards on 20 first-quarter plays and seven first downs … Mayes Doggan gained his first career interception … Shane Fredrickson recorded his fifth career interception and second of the season … the 55-yard pick six was the first touchdown of his collegiate career … Jacob Stockard was credited with his first collegiate sack in the fourth quarter … Keaton Ricke led the Bearcats with five total tackles … Northwest has won 29 straight games against Missouri Southern … Northwest leads the all-time series, 31-4 … Northwest has scored 50 or more points 60 times in the history of the program … it is the 16th time the Bearcats have scored 50 or more points under the direction of head coach Rich Wright … Northwest is 53-0 when leading at the half for coach Wright.