WARRENSBURG, Mo. - The Northwest Missouri State University football team stayed perfect in MIAA play with a 49-32 road triumph over the University of Central Missouri Mules.

Northwest produced 501 total yards and 358 on the ground and Zechariah Owens accounted for six touchdowns as the Bearcats took over sole possession of first place in the league standings.

This victory marked Northwest's fifth consecutive win, their longest streak since a six-game run in the 2022 season. Northwest is 5-1 overall and 4-0 in MIAA play. UCM is 3-3 overall and 3-1 in league action.

The first quarter began with Northwest Missouri State deferring the kickoff, putting Central Missouri on offense. Central Missouri capitalized on an early drive, concluding with a 2-yard touchdown run by Keyon Butler, putting them ahead 7-0. The Bearcats responded with a series of short gains, but a pass interception halted their progress.

Central Missouri extended their lead with a passing touchdown to Hogan Wasson, increasing the score to 14-0. However, the Bearcats regained momentum as Zechariah Owens engineered a successful drive, capped by a touchdown pass to Luke Mathews, closing the quarter with the score at 14-7 in favor of Central Missouri. Northwest's ability to overcome an early 14-0 deficit set the tone for their resilient performance.

The second quarter began with Northwest capitalizing on a turnover forced by Zac McLeay, leading to a drive starting at the Mules' 21-yard line. Owens capped the possession with a 1-yard touchdown rush, followed by Mo Alwaely's successful extra point, tying the game at 14-14. Northwest has now won 89 straight games when leading at the half, a testament to their strong play under head coach John McMenamin, who is 11-0 all-time when leading at halftime.

The Bearcats continued to press, as Te'Shaun Porter's effective ground game helped advance the ball into scoring position once again. Owens completed the drive with another short touchdown run, extending the lead to 21-14 after Alwaely's extra point. The defense held strong, but Central Missouri managed a late 31-yard field goal by Will Peacock as the second quarter ended with Northwest leading 21-17.

The Bearcats opened the third period with a significant momentum shift, capitalizing on their possession. Quincy Torry's 55-yard touchdown run at 12:27 extended their lead over Central Missouri. Mo Alwaely followed up with a successful extra point, bringing the score to 28-17.

Shortly after, Northwest's defense secured a crucial turnover, with Carter Edwards forcing a fumble recovered by Parker Bowen. This turnover was converted into another scoring drive, as Owens rushed for an 8-yard touchdown at 3:16, with Alwaely again adding the extra point. Owens's performance, with six total touchdowns, ties him with Trevor Adams, Kyle Zimmerman, Zach Martin, and Mike Hohensee for the second-most touchdowns accounted for in a game for a Bearcat. The Bearcats closed the third quarter leading 35-17, maintaining a strong position going into the final period.

The fourth quarter began with the Mules narrowing the gap via an 8-yard touchdown pass from Donovyn Omolo to Marlon Lindsey, bringing the score to 35-25 in favor of Northwest. However, the Bearcats responded assertively, as Owens led a pivotal drive that culminated in a 7-yard touchdown pass to Mathews, re-establishing a significant lead at 42-25.

Despite a subsequent touchdown from the Mules, Northwest's offense continued to press forward. Owens capitalized on a vital 44-yard rushing touchdown, extending the advantage to 49-25. Central Mo. added another score late, but Northwest's strategic ground game allowed them to control possession and run out the clock, securing the victory with a final score of 49-32.

Owens led the offensive charge with 124 rushing yards on 11 attempts, scoring four touchdowns, and added two touchdown passes for 80 yards on 7-of-14 passing. This performance marked his first 100-yard rushing game. Mathews contributed significantly to the receiving corps with nine catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns, marking his second career 100-yard receiving game. On defense, Edwards recorded a team-high of 15 tackles, including one sack and one forced fumble, while Bowen recovered a fumble.

Looking ahead, the Bearcats are set to face Fort Hays State in Maryville, Mo., on Saturday, October 18. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.

NOTES: 

Owens is only the third Bearcat quarterback to record four rushing touchdowns in a game. Owens joined Jeremy Wilson who posted four scores against Missouri Western on Sept. 2, 1989, and Tom Kruse who recorded four touchdowns vs. Nebraska-Kearney on Sept. 11, 1989.

Northwest Most Rushing TDs Game
5, Xavier Omon vs. Truman State (9/22/07)
5, Xavier Omon vs. PSU (10/6/07)
4, Jeremy Wilson vs. MWSU (9/2/89)
4, Tom Kruse vs. UNK (9/11/89)
4, Jason Krone vs. WU (10/9/93)
4, Jesse Haynes vs. WU (11/9/96)
4, Xavier Omon vs. ESU (10/7/06)
4, Xavier Omon vs. West Texas (11/24/07)
4, LaRon Council vs. MWSU (9/13/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. PSU (10/4/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. MSSU (11/18/08)
4, LaRon Council vs. North Ala. (12/6/08)
4, Phil Jackson II vs. St. Cloud St. (12/7/13)
4, Justin Rankin vs. NSU (11/2/19)
4, Al McKeller vs. UNK (10/23/21)
4, Jay Harris vs. UCO (10/7/23)
4, Zechariah Owens vs. UCM (10/11/25)

Northwest Most Touchdowns Game
7, Kyle Zimmerman vs. PSU (11/29/16)
6, Trevor Adams vs. ESU (11/9/13)
6, Kyle Zimmerman vs. NSU (10/15/16)
6, Zach Martin vs. MSSU (9/23/17)
6, Mike Hohensee vs. UCM (9/18/21)
6, Zechariah Owens vs. UCM (10/11/25)

Owens is one of two NCAA Div. II quarterbacks this season to have rushed for four touchdowns in a game - joining Minnesota-Duluth's Kyle Walljasper (Sept. 20, 2025 vs. Sioux Falls).

Owens is one of two MIAA players overall to have rushed for four scores this season - joining Nebraska-Kearney's Isaiah Harris (Sept. 20, 2025 vs. Emporia State).

Senior wide receiver Luke Mathews achieved his second career 100-yard receiving game with a nine-catch, 108-yard performance against Central Missouri ... Mathews also nabbed a pair of touchdown receptions from Zechariah Owens against the Mules from 28 yards and seven yards ... Mathews's nine receptions are the most by a Bearcat wide receiver since Alec Tatum had an 11-catch, 205-yard performance vs. Central Oklahoma (Sept. 25, 2021).

Senior safety Shane Fredrickson surpassed the 200-career tackle mark with eight stops against Central Missouri ... Fredrickson has collected 205 career tackles entering Saturday's game vs. Fort Hays State ... Fredrickson has played in 40 games and has tallied five interceptions.

Not only is the Bearcat rushing game rolling, the Northwest offensive line has allowed two quarterback sacks through six games and did not allow a sack vs. UCM.