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Oct. 12, 2024Game | Football

Northwest 20, Central Oklahoma 48


(Photo courtesy Northwest Athletics/Jon Dykstra, Maryville Forum)

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Northwest Missouri State's four-game win streak was snapped Saturday afternoon in a 48-20 loss to Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK.

The Bearcats (4-3, 4-2 MIAA) couldn't hang with the No. 13 Bronchos, allowing UCO to rack up 530 total yards of offense.

Central Oklahoma took a 7-0 lead after its second drive of the game, and Northwest was poised to answer with a touchdown of its own. The Bearcats marched 61 yards, but on the 13th play of the drive, Chris Ruhnke was intercepted by Zhyon Bell in the back of the end zone. UCO quickly flipped that turnover into points to go up 14-0.

Ruhnke found the end zone on a three yard rush on the following drive to cut the deficit to seven, but the Bronchos tacked on 10 more points before halftime to take a 24-7 lead into the break.

The UCO advantage was 31-7 in the third quarter before Northwest got things rolling offensively in the second half. Ruhnke completed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Eric Richardson, then after a turnover on downs, Noah Guastella hit a field goal to bring the Bearcats back within 14 points.

That's as close as it would get the rest of the way as Central Oklahoma outscored Northwest 17-3 in the fourth quarter.

Ruhnke finished with 310 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Richardson put up his best receiving day as a Bearcat with five receptions for 92 yards and a score.

Northwest hosts Central Missouri next Saturday, October 19 at 2pm for the annual homecoming football game from Bearcat Stadium.