In a top-20 showdown, the Pioneers lost their first game of the season, 24-14, at #15 Benedictine on Saturday. In a defensive struggle, MNU got on the board early in the second quarter when
Trey Cooper found
Gio Gonzalez for a 9-yard touchdown. The Ravens responded with a 6-minute 12-play 72-yard touchdown drive to tie the game, and the score was 7-7 at halftime.
Benedictine scored on their first drive of the second half to take a 14-7 lead, but MNU turned an
Armani Willie interception into quick points as the Pioneers tied the game 5 plays later. Cooper to
Dalton Inlow for 21 yards. In the fourth quarter, Benedictine forced a fumble and took the lead with a 9-play 94-yard touchdown drive, but the Pioneers had 6 minutes remaining to try to tie it up. But MNU's fourth turnover of the game, an interception, ended the Pioneer drive with 4 minutes remaining. The Ravens converted a field goal with 90 second left, and MNU lost by 10.
Trey Cooper completed 21 passes for 309 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Javon Taylor ran 23 times for 80 yards.
Gio Gonzalez caught 6 balls for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Dalton Inlow had 4 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Ryan Huerta recorded 16 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss.
Johnathan Stark had 12 tackles. And
Drake Tofi and
Jaron Reed had 8 tackles apiece.
MNU is 3-1. The next game is Saturday at home vs. Peru State (3-1) at 1:00.
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