Box Score
The Pioneers avoided their first 0-3 start since 1991 with a 54-22 thrashing of Evangel on Saturday. The win marks MNU's 11th straight victory over the Crusaders. The game started perfectly for the Pioneers as Michael Lindsey returned the opening kickoff 54 yards to set up a quick Greg Gates touchdown. Then on Evangel's second play from scrimmage, Donte Wade forced a fumble and the Pioneers never looked back. HAAC Special Teams Player of the Week Michael Brewer nailed a 47-yard field goal to put MNU up 10-0, then hit another one from 22 yards on the next drive. Two plays later, Donte Wade forced another fumble and Matt Cobb scooped and scored to put MNU up 20-0 to close out the first quarter.
The second quarter started with a 4th down stop to give the Pioneers the ball, and an 11-play 74-yard drive resulted in a Hedlund-to-Kirkwood 10-yard touchdown pass to put MNU up by 27. Evangel answered with a touchdown, but the Pioneers responded with one of their own then ended the first-half scoring with another field goal to take a 37-7 lead into the locker room. Brewer's 4th field goal of the game, a 35-yarder put MNU up 40-7 and the Pioneers cruised to the finish. QB Jabari Harris picked up a 61-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring, and the Pioneers won 54-22.
Trent Hedlund was 17-31 for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jabari Harris rushed 4 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Greg Gates picked up 78 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. LaDon Hudson caught 5 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. Deron Kirkwood had 5 catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Joe Camacho led the defense with 16 tackles including a sack and a pass break-up to earn HAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Matt Watson and Donte Wade had 10 tackles apiece to go along with Wade's 2 forced fumbles. And Michael Brewer hit 6 PATs and 4 field goals (47, 22, 28, 35).
The Pioneers are 1-2 (1-1 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at #13 Baker (2-1, 1-1) at 2:00.
