Pioneers Break Scoring Record in Opener

The Pioneers put up a program-record 80 points in the season opening 80-34 victory vs. Culver-Stockton on Saturday. MNU's first play from scrimmage was a 26-yard jet sweep from Deron Kirkwood, and the Pioneers were able to move the ball quickly all game. Javon Taylor capped off the opening drive with a 4-yard touchdown, Drake Tofi punched it in from the 1 on the second drive, and Taylor provided the highlight of the night late in the 1st quarter. After Demitrious Finney forced and recovered a fumble to give MNU the ball, Taylor took the first play handoff and darted through the line before exploding for 77 yards past the secondary into the end zone.

"Anytime you can score that many points that many different ways it is a good night," said head coach Brian Willmer. "This win is a testament to the players' and the coaches' summer preparation. I was encouraged by the amount of new players who played and did a good job for their first time as Pioneers. But we do need to limit the amount of penalties, tackle better, and play more consistently throughout the entire game."

MNU extended the lead in the second quarter with another Tofi touchdown, then the defense recorded a score when Jarad Bader forced a fumble on a sack and Malcolm Majors took it the distance. Cristian Casillas capped the first half with a 30-yard field goal, and MNU went to the locker room with a 38-14 lead.

The game was blown open in the 3rd quarter. Touchdowns by Tofi, Dylan Meyers (from Trent Hedlund), Donald Garcia, Trevor Vogelsmeier (from Jakob Jordan), and Tofi again made it 73-21. Ashtin Johnson scored to open the 4th, and MNU broke their previous scoring record of 77 (vs. Culver-Stockton, 2007) with their 80th point.

Javon Taylor led all rushers with 98 yards and 2 touchdowns. Donald Garcia carried 8 times for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. And Drake Tofi had 9 carries for 72 yards and 3 touchdowns as MNU ran for 350 yards. Trent Hedlund and Jakob Jordan combined for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. And 7 receivers recorded 1 catch apiece.

James Guerrero had 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Aaron Mossbarger had 12 tackles. And Jarad Bader had 5 tackles including 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, a pass breakup, and 2 forced fumbles.

MNU is 1-0. The next game is Saturday at conference-newcomer William Penn (1-0) at 6:00.