In a battle of Nazarene Universities, the Pioneers defeated their sister school SNU 41-17 in Wichita on Saturday. MNU started quickly, using a 6-play 70-yard drive capped off by a
Sean Ransburg 38-yard TD pass to
Juan Redmon to take the lead. After forcing a 3-and-out, MNU used a 12-play 57-yard drive to get within field goal range. they were helped by a fake punt where
Dantren Anderson picked up 25 yards on a handoff.
Cody Morrow hit a 24-yarder to put MNU up 10-0, but SNU didn't go quietly. The Crimson Storm returned the ensuing kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown, then tied the game in the second quarter with a field goal.
The rest of the half was all Pioneers. A 75-yard drive resulted in a
Sean Ransburg 7-yard touchdown run. After an SNU punt, Ransburg scored again, this time from 10 yards out, to give MNU a 24-10 lead.
Brandon Smith forced a fumble on the first play of the ensuing drive, giving MNU the ball inside the red zone. Ransburg capped off the short drive with a 1-yard TD run, and the Pioneers never looked back. Ransburg's 3 touchdowns in 5 minutes gave MNU control, and the second half was more of the same. MNU blocked SNU's first punt and quickly scored again, and the Pioneers cruised to victory.
Ransburg was 13-26 passing for 174 yards and a touchdown. He also ran 14 times for 93 yards and 3 touchdowns.
James Tillman carried the ball 21 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Phillips caught 5 passes for 43 yards. And
Juan Redmon had 4 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
AJ Rodriguez led the Pioneers with 9 tackles. He also broke up a pass and blocked a punt.
Joey Oxley recorded 7 tackles.
Dantren Anderson had 6 tackles and 2 interceptions. And
Brandon Smith recorded a sack and a forced fumble.
The Pioneers are 5-1 (4-1 HAAC). The next game is Homecoming vs. undefeated and HAAC-leading Benedictine (7-0, 5-0) on Saturday at 1:00.
Stats and Play by Play
