The Pioneers picked up their first shutout since 2012 in a 40-0 blowout over Peru State on Saturday. MNU got on the board after Tanner Hamilton recovered a fumble at the Peru 17-yard line which resulted in a Cristian Casillas field goal. Another fumble gave MNU the ball near midfield and the Pioneers capped an 8-play 45-yard drive with an Erik May 1-year touchdown run to make the score 10-0.
In the second quarter, Dimitrios Finney picked off a pass and Trent Hedlund hit Dylan Meyers for a 34-yard touchdown on the very next play. Another Casillas field goal was followed by a Kameron King interception and another Erik May touchdown, and MNU took a 27-0 lead into halftime.
Peru State started the second half with another fumble, and Casillas nailed his third field goal to put MNU up by 30. "We did a great job getting turnovers and holding Peru State's offense to zero points," said head coach
Brian Willmer. "The defense executed the game plan but we need to continue to improve at our tackling and assignments."
Peru State had a chance to get on the board after an 11-play drive, but
Kameron King blocked a field goal attempt to keep the Bobcats off the board. After another PSC fumble,
Javon Taylor scored on the first play with a 55-yard rush to put MNU up 37-0. A Casillas 45-yard field goal capped the scoring as MNU remained at the top of the HAAC with Missouri Valley.
Javon Taylor led a 278-yard rushing attack with 19 carries for 149 yards and a touchdown.
Trent Hedlund threw for 135 yards and a touchdown. Ciristian Casillas hit 4 field goals. And
Kameron King led the defense with 8 tackles, a pass break-up, an interception, and a field goal block.
MNU is 7-1 (6-1 HAAC). The next game is Saturday at home vs. Benedictine (6-3, 5-2) at 1:00.
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