Gunnar Gundy goes off in Emporia’s OT victory over Missouri Western: area football

Action-packed small-college football games were once again the rule across and beyond the Kansas City metro Saturday.

Here’s a rundown of highlights from the weekend:

Emporia State 30, Missouri Western 27, OT

The Hornets’ annual Family Day game went to overtime in Emporia, Kan., but placekicker Caden Dodson was up to the task: His 36-yard field goal was the game-winner as ESU improved to 4-0.

Just as critical for the Hornets in this one was the play of quarterback Gunnar Gundy. The senior transfer from Oklahoma State — where he played three seasons for his dad, Cowboys coach Mike Gundy — threw an eye-popping 74 passes Saturday, completing an equally stunning 49.

By game’s end, Gundy had thrown for 454 yards and three touchdowns and run for 87 yards on 13 carries. His favorite target was Tyler Kahmann, who hauled in 13 catches for 178 yards and two TDs.

The junior signal-caller from Stillwater, Okla. was also sacked five times and lost a fumble, but no matter. Gundy’s big afternoon, coupled with that clutch field goal by Dodson in OT, made winners of the Hornets.

For Missouri Western (2-2), QB Kody Kirk was 15 of 38 for 220 yards and three TDs with one interception, while Brandon Hall tallied 20 carries for 137 yards and a TD.

In other games for area teams ...

Missouri State 31, UT-Martin 24: Missouri State QB Jacob Clark had a big night in Martin, Tennessee, completing 26 of 33 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Clark completed passes to eight different receivers in an efficient game that offset a tough night on the ground for MSU RB Jacardia Wright, who was held to just 22 yards on 16 carries. Missouri State improved to 2-2.

Central Missouri 32, Davenport 31: In a back-and-forth affair at Davenport, Michigan, Mules RB LaAngelo Bell scored the go-ahead TD — his third of the day — on a 13-yard run with just over a minute left as UCM improved to 2-1. QB Zach Zebrowski was 31 of 47 for 349 yards with one TD and one pick. He was sacked three times but gained 65 yards on 13 carries.

Pittsburg State 39, Washburn 31: The host Ichabods put up an admirable fight before the Gorillas were able to escape Topeka with a hard-fought win. PSU QB Chad Dodson Jr. completed 20 of 30 passes for 287 yards and 2 TDs but was sacked four times. Pitt State improved to 3-1 while Washburn fell to 0-3.

Northwest Missouri State 59, Missouri Southern 0: The Bearcats pitched a big-league shutout in Joplin, dropping their hosts to 0-4 while improving to 2-2. By halftime it was 31-0 and Northwest’s pressure only continued in the second half. Bearcats QB Chris Ruhnke finished 26 of 33 for 331 yards and 3 TDs and Henry Martin recorded a pair of short-yardage scores.

William Jewell 48, Lincoln 20: At Jefferson City, QB Tucker Griffin was 15 of 21 for 239 yards and 3 TDs as William Jewell routed the Blue Tigers to improve to 3-0. RB Keaundre McCullough helped the Cardinals’ cause with 106 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries.

Baker 61, Culver-Stockton 7: The host Wildcats improved to 3-0 with a homecoming rout at Liston Stadium in Baldwin City, Kan. Baker QB Truman Juelsgaard was 17 of 21 for 217 yards and three TDs. The Wildcats picked off Culver-Stockton (0-4) five times.

Benedictine 45, St. Ambrose 15: At Davenport, Iowa, the Ravens led 24-0 at halftime en route to an easy road victory and 3-1 record. Benedictine rolled up 555 yards of offense, led by a five-TD afternoon from QB Jackson Dooley. He was an impressive 23 of 40 for 451 yards through the air.

McPherson 31, Ottawa 14: McPherson QB Tristan Szabo was 10 of 16 for 188 yards and 2 TDs and Jalil Brown had 19 carries for 99 yards and a TD as the Bulldogs (3-1) beat the visiting Braves. Taylor Eggers ran for a pair of TDs for Ottawa (0-4).

MidAmerica Nazarene 38, Graceland 24: At ODAC Stadium in Olathe, the Pioneers fell behind 7-0 and 21-7 before rallying to take control. The hosts outscored the visitors 31-3 to close it out. MNU QB Adrian Parsons was 25 of 39 for 263 yards and three TDs and Cameron Finley piled up 101 yards on 20 carries with a TD. MNU improved to 3-0; Graceland dropped to 2-2.

Bethel 20, Avila 17: At Bethel, QB DJ Ciers threw for three TDs, out-dueling Avila QB Eli Williams in a game decided by three points. Williams did most of his damage on the ground, racking up 145 rushing yards on 22 carries. Avila fell to 1-3, losing its third in a row.

Fort Hays State 37, Northeastern State 0: At Hays, Kan., the host Tigers made quick work of the visitors from Oklahoma. De Soto High product Shane Watts was the spark plug, running for 118 yards and a TD on 22 carries while also hauling in four passes for 40 yards and a TD. Brother Trevor Watts caught a team-high 8 passes for 50 yards as FHSU improved to 3-1.

Saint Mary at Evangel, postponed: The Spires’ road game in Iowa was postponed. A makeup game will be announced later.