Dantren Anderson's field goal block in the final seconds secured a 27-24 MNU victory vs. Georgetown on Saturday. The victory earns the Pioneers a 2nd round
NAIA Football Championship Series home game vs. #7 Morningside on Saturday the 27th at 1:00. It will be the first 2nd-round home game in MNU history.
The Pioneers got on the board quickly vs. Georgetown. After forcing a 3-and-out, the offense took over at the 12 yard line. A holding penalty and an incomplete pass saw MNU facing a 2nd-and-16 from their own 6 yard line. But
Sean Ransburg connected with
Greg Gates on a 77-yard screen pass to set up the Pioneers at the Georgetown 17-yard line. MNU scored on the next play when Ransburg found
Juan Redmon in the end zone, and the Pioneers led 7-0. The ensuing kickoff seemingly had the Pioneers set up in the red zone after a fumble, but an illegal block in the back penalty negated the play and kept the game close. The Tigers then tied the game after an 11-play, 74-yard touchdown drive.
The Pioneers answered with a
Cody Morrow 27-yard field goal, but MNU wouldn't score again until the final quarter. Georgetown scored touchdowns on their next two drives to take a 21-10 lead into halftime, and the Pioneers faced their biggest deficit of the season. No points were scored in the third quarter, but the Pioneers started the final quarter with great field position due to a big punt return by Will Griffin. MNU failed to capitalize, however, and came away with no points after a missed field goal. The Tigers answered with a 10-play drive which resulted in a field goal, and the Pioneers trailed 24-10 with 9:30 remaining.
MNU needed a quick score and the Pioneers were able to get a touchdown in under two minutes to get within 7 points. After the Pioneer defense forced a 3-and-out, Georgetown's punt attempt was snapped through the end zone for a safety, and MNU trailed by just 5. The ensuing drive was all
Sean Ransburg and
Greg Gates. Gates started the drive with an 18-yard rush to get MNU into Tiger territory. Ransburg converted a 4th-and-3 with a 7-yard pass to Gates to keep the drive alive, and then got the ball to the 1-yard line with a 16 yard scramble. Ransburg finished the 9-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Pioneers a 25-24 lead. He then connected with
Branden Phillips on the 2-point conversion to take a 3-point lead with 3 minutes remaining.
Georgetown put a drive together and got within field goal range with 7 seconds remaining, but MNU's
Dantren Anderson shot in front of the kicker from the outside and blocked the attempt, sending the crowd into a frenzy and the Pioneers to the second round.
Ransburg, who was named Offensive Player of the Game, completed 12 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 21 times for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Greg Gates added 16 carries for 83 yards and caught 3 passes for 86 yards.
Juan Redmon had 4 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown.
The defense was led by Defensive Player of the Game
Jake Duren, who recorded 17 tackles including a sack.
Dantren Anderson had 9 tackles, a forced fumble, and a blocked field goal. And
JD Wood had 8 tackles.
The Pioneers are 11-0. The next game is Saturday the 27th at home vs. Morningside (10-1) at 1:00.
Stats and play by play
