The Pioneers offense put up 21 points in each of the first two quarters at Evangel on Saturday. MNU took a 42-7 lead into the locker room, and cruised to a 52-14 victory. Counting last week's 35-point fourth quarter, MNU put up 77 points in a 45-minute stretch of football.
The Pioneers started quickly as Tyler Herl hooked up with Tim Richmond for a 9-yard touchdown pass which completed a 5-play 60-yard opening drive. MNU's next drive ended the same way; this time a 16-yard TD pass from Herl to Richmond. Jared Elmore's 57-yard touchdown reception capped off the first-quarter scoring. Ashford Johnson, John Jost, and Richmond scored in the second quarter, and the game was well in hand.
Any hope of an Evangel miracle comeback was crushed on the first play of the second half. William Griffin picked off the first-down pass and ran it back for a touchdown and a 49-7 lead. A short Eric Hronek field goal capped off the scoring, and the #10 Pioneers moved to 7-1.
Herl was 16-22 for 268 yards and 5 touchdowns in just one half of play. Jared Elmore caught 6 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Tim Richmond caught 4 balls for 53 yards and 3 scores. And Ashford Johnson had 10 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown; he also caught two passes for 60 yards.
The Pioneers are 7-1 (7-1 HAAC). The next game is Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day; Saturday the 31st at home vs. Central Methodist (5-3, 5-2 HAAC) at 1:00.
