Sean Ransburg threw for a career-high 247 yards and 3 touchdowns as #4 MNU defeated #9 Missouri Valley 37-7 to seal the outright HAAC Championship on Saturday. It was the Pioneers' 23rd straight regular-season home victory.
MNU started the scoring when Missouri Valley fumbled a punt, giving the Pioneers a new set of downs and good field position.
Sean Ransburg connected with
Austin Conyers for a 38-yard reception to set up an
Ashford Johnson 2-yard touchdown run, and the Pioneers took a 6-0 lead. Early in the 2nd quarter, the Pioneers fumbled on Special Teams and MO Valley capitalized with a quick touchdown to take a 7-6 lead. The Pioneer defense stood firm for the rest of the game, however, and the Viking didn't score another point. On the ensuing MNU drive, Ransburg connected with Conyers again for a 6-yard touchdown, and the Pioneers never looked back.
The second half was all Pioneers.
Brady Croucher picked off a pass on the Vikings' opening drive, and MNU took advantage with another big hookup for Ransburg and Conyers, this time for a 17-yard touchdown. After the Pioneer defense forced a 3-and-out, the offense iced the game with a 12-play, 72-yard drive, ending with a Ransburg to
Juan Redmon touchdown strike to increase the lead to 27-7.
Taylor Lasiter ended all Viking hopes with a pick-6 on the following drive, and
Cody Morrow added a 36-yard field goal to account for the 37-7 final score.
This is the second HAAC title for MNU in the last 3 years. The Pioneers also ended the 2008 regular season with a 10-0 conference record.
Ransburg was 19-33 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran 10 times for 35 yards.
Austin Conyers caught 5 passes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brandon Phillips caught 6 passes for 64 yards. And
Juan Redmon caught 5 balls for 78 yards and a touchdown.
The defense was led by
Jake Duren's 8 tackles and a pass break-up which led to an interception.
Dantren Anderson had 6 tackles, including a 14-yard sack.
JD Wood had 6 tackles and an interception.
Charlie McCaleb had 6 tackles including a sack.
Brady Croucher had an interception and a sack. And
Taylor Lasiter had a pass break-up and a pick-6.
The Pioneers are 10-0. The next game will be a home playoff game on Saturday, November 20th at 1:00 vs. an opponent to be determined on the
VSN Selection Show on Sunday the 14th.
Stats
