Box Score Promo Clip | The Pioneers found themselves trailing 15-0 early, but a 29-point outburst in the second half led to a 44-30 victory at Avila on Saturday. Avila returned the opening kickoff and converted a 2-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead before MNU took the field. Avila scored again after forcing an MNU punt and it was 15-0 after 5 minutes of play. The Pioneers got on the board late in the first quarter as
Greg Gates and
Jabari Harris led a 4-play 37-yard touchdown drive after starting in Eagle territory. Then the Pioneers tied the game early in the second quarter on a Harris-to-
LaDon Hudson touchdown pass. An MNU fumble led to another Avila touchdown, and the Eagles led 22-15 at halftime.
The second half started poorly for the Pioneers. A punt was followed by a 7-play 80-yard Avila touchdown drive, then the Eagles picked off a pass and recovered a fumble in the opening 8 minutes. But the defense held firm and the rest of the game was all MNU. The Pioneers outscored Avila 29-2 to close the game, highlighted by a
Greg Gates 83-yard touchdown run to give MNU their first lead with 11 minutes remaing. That play was followed by a pooch-kick recovered by MNU, and
Donte Wade intercepted Avila in their final 2 drives to seal the game.
The Pioneers only completed 7 passes, but the game was won on the ground. MNU gained 431 yards and 5 touchdowns on 38 rushing attempts, good for 11.3 yards per play.
Greg Gates rushed for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries.
Jabari Harris ran 11 times for 164 yards and a touchdown. He was also 4-6 for 77 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Michael Lindsey had 167 all-purpose yards with 1 run for 13 yards (TD), 2 catches for 51 yards, and 7 kick returns for 103 yards.
On defense,
Joe Camacho had 16 tackles and a forced fumble.
Justin Vargas had 13 tackles. And
Donte Wade recorded 8 tackles and 2 interceptions.
MNU is 2-5 (2-4 HAAC). The Pioneers are home for the next 3 Saturdays starting with Graceland (1-7, 0-6) at ODAC at 1:00.
