PITTSBURG, Kan. – Call it a baptism by fireworks. Northwestern Oklahoma State absorbed a 70-0 loss at No. 7 Pittsburg State, Saturday in non-conference action.

PSU – just two seasons removed from an NCAA Division II National Championship – scored on its first two offensive plays of the game. The explosive Gorillas needed just 11 snaps to build the lead to 28-0 late in the first and would carry a 56-0 lead into the half.

Fresh off a 20-point road win over No. 4 Missouri Western, PSU continued its momentum, totaling 634 of offense on 59 plays, while holding the Rangers to 128.

"We need to build on little things and looks for positives that we can build upon going into next week's game at Southern Nazarene," said Northwestern head coach Alan Hall. "This game was about showing (the kids) where we're building (toward) in terms of our ultimate goal."

PSU Quarterback Anthony Abenoja completed 10-of-12 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those went to receiver John Brown, who piled up 132 yards on four catches.

Jeff Seybold rushed 10 times for 125 yards and three scores for PSU (8-1, 7-1 MIAA).

For Northwestern (1-8, 1-7 GAC), L.T. Pfaff went 10-for-18 for 63 yards with a pair of interceptions.

Davontaa Bryant led the Ranger receivers with four catches to go with three from Tevian Parnell.

Javari Liggins carried 18 times for 65 yards.

Joby Saint Fleur and Caden Gacek each finished with a team-high seven tackles.

Northwestern turned the ball over a season-high five times en route to its worst loss since 1953 (an 80-0 setback to Texas A&M Commerce).

"We'll put this one behind us," Hall said. "This one doesn't mean much in terms of our conference. We still have a couple of big games in terms of Oklahoma bragging rights."

The Rangers travel to Southern Nazarene for a 1:30 kick next Saturday before wrapping up the season at home against Southwestern Oklahoma State.