Northwest Missouri State capitalized on opportunities and mistakes in defeating the Golden Rams of West Chester Saturday 38-7 in an NCAA Division II interregional game in Missouri. The Bearcats – ranked as high
as 14th in one of the two Division II polls – turned a 10-0 second lead into a 24-0 advantage on an interception and a blocked field to close out the first half.Northwest used a 25-yard, sixplay drive following an interception to up the ante to 17-0, then blocked a field and returned it 83 yards for a score with no time left on the firsthalf clock.
The Golden Rams had kicked a field goal, but the play was nullified by an illegal procedure call. The ensuing kick was rejected and returned 83 yards for a score and a 24-0 halftime lead.
The Bearcats produced 27 first downs to WCU’s 15 and racked up 445 yards of total offense. Osagie Osunde carried the ball 17 times for 48 yards and one score, while Bob Findora completed 11
of 24 passes for 148 yards.
Brandon Simmons caught five of those for 60 yards. Isaiah Harrison posted 11 total hits and a 25-yard interception return. He also broke up one pass.
WCU will face Glenville State in its third of fi ve road games to start the year next Saturday at 1 p.m.