It was a record-breaking day in Jefferson City, Mo., as the Pittsburg State offense exploded for 777 yards in a 59-38 win over the Lincoln Blue Tigers Saturday.
PSU wide receiver John Brown passed the legendary Ronnie West to set the new school record for career receiving yards, while quarterback Anthony Abenoja threw for 442 yards on 28-of-36 passing with five touchdowns -- four of those to Brown -- both of which are new school records.
Brown caught nine passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns, and also added a touchdown run and a 45-yard punt return. The senior receiver passed West -- the 1991 Harlon Hill Award winner -- for tops on the career receiving yards list.
“It means a lot to me,” Brown said. “It feels good to set records. The guys on my team helped me reach these goals, so an individual goal is kinda like a team goal.”
Running back Jeff Seybold got in on the fun, rushing for 181 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.
Pitt State’s defense, on the other hand, had a rougher time, as Lincoln running back Morris Henderson rushed for 157 yards on 14 carries.
“They scored fast,” PSU head coach Tim Beck said. “There are a couple of things we need to get figured out and get fixed.”
The Gorillas took control of this game early, forcing Lincoln to punt four plays into the game, then marching down for a score on their first possession -- a 10-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard TD pass from Abenoja to Brown.
On Lincoln’s next drive, the Blue Tigers drove all the way down to the Pitt State 1. But on fourth-and-goal just inches from the end zone, the Gorillas held LU quarterback Jacob Morris short of the goal line.
Thirteen plays later, the Gorillas led 14-0 on a one-yard run by Seybold.
Abenoja and Brown connected again in the second quarter -- this time on a 29-yard touchdown pass -- to build a 21-0 lead that appeared to end any chance for the Blue Tigers.
Lincoln, however, had other ideas, scoring 10 points on their next two possessions and making it a 21-10 game.
But with just 24 seconds left in the half, Brown hauled in his third TD catch of the afternoon.
“John was phenomenal today,” Beck said. “We knew there was going to be one of those days when he caught eight or nine balls for 230 yards. It happened today.
“Bottom line, he can run past you.”
The second half was a track meet that saw Lincoln match Pitt State score-for-score, but the Gorillas’ quick start made all the difference.
Pitt State will return home next Saturday for a 2 p.m. homecoming date against Abilene Christian at Carnie Smith Stadium.
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