Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content
football
52
Winner MNU (Kan.) MNU 5-1, 4-1
7
Evangel (Mo.) EVAN 4-3, 2-3
Winner
MNU (Kan.) MNU
5-1, 4-1
52
Final
7
Evangel (Mo.) EVAN
4-3, 2-3
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MNU MNU (Kan.) 24 7 14 7 52
EVAN Evangel (Mo.) 0 7 0 0 7

Game Recap: Football | | Sports Information Department

Pioneers Thump Crusaders

A 24-point first quarter and an MNU-record 7 interceptions keyed a 52-7 victory at Evangel on Saturday. After forcing a 3-and-out, MNU scored in 3 plays when Trent Hedlund connected with Chris Fields for a 47-yard touchdown. The defense gave the ball back to the offense quickly again, and the Pioneers scored quickly again. Javon Taylor broke through for a 71-yard touchdown, and MNU led 14-0. Derek Pollox intercepted a 3rd down pass on the ensuing drive, and the Pioneers were set up at the Crusader 3-yard line. Ashtin Johnson scored 2 plays later, and the rout was on. Another 3-and-out set up the Pioneers in good field position, and Cristian Casillas nailed a 50-yard field goal to give MNU a 24-0 first quarter lead.

"I am pleased that we played well in all 3 phases of the game," said head coach Brian Willmer. "The offense did a good job of having a balanced attack and moved the ball well. The defense did a great job of containing the quarterback and the secondary played their best game, getting 7 interceptions. We need to continue to limit our mistakes as we prepare for Baker next week."

Evangel got on the board late in the second quarter with a 3-play 47-yard touchdown drive, but MNU answered right back with a 10-play 75-yard drive ending with a Hedlund to Dylan Meyers touchdown. The Pioneers went to the locker room with a 31-7 lead.

The second half was more of the same. Javon Taylor capped a 7-play 34-yard drive with a short touchdown run, and the defense got the ball right back with a Markeith Cooper interception. DJ Kawewehi turned the turnover into a score with a 2-yard touchdown run, and MNU led 45-7. Tanner Hamilton's second pick of the day ended the next Evangel drive, but the nail in the coffin came early in the 4th.

A 14-play 84-yard Crusader drive ended when Dimitrios Finney picked off a pass at the 5 and returned it 95 yards for a score. The 7th interception is an MNU record, and the return is the longest since Steve Kiburz recorded a 98-yard pick 6 in 2008.

Javon Taylor carried 23 times for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hedlund was 10-22 for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns. And Chris Fields caught 5 balls for 103 yards and a touchdown. The defensive backs were the stars on the other side of the ball, as Pollox (1), Finney (2), Hamilton (2), and Cooper (2) combined for a record 7 picks.

"It was a team effort to get all those picks," said Willmer. "The pressure from the defensive line combined with the linebackers and DBs playing their coverages well forces turnovers, and we executed exactly what we practiced all week."

MNU is 5-1 (4-1 HAAC). The next game is Homecoming at ODAC vs. #2 Baker (7-0, 5-0) at 2:00.
Print Friendly Version