Pioneers Lose Heartbreaker at Penn

The Basics
Score: MNU 44 - William Penn 45
Record: MNU (1-2), WPU (1-2)
Location: Oskaloosa, Iowa

OSKALOOSA, Iowa - A field goal with no time on the clock gave William Penn a 45-44 victory over MNU on Saturday. The game appeared to be headed for a blowout in the opening minutes. The Pioneers were stopped on 4th down at the Penn 25 on the opening drive, and the Statesmen's opening play was a 75-yard touchdown run. The Pioneers were stopped on the next drive, and Penn marched 59 yards in 7 plays for a 14-0 lead. MNU's next drive ended with an injured quarterback and a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, and the Statesmen led 21-0.

Quarterback Blake Atkins entered the game and made immediate impact, driving the Pioneers 75 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown pass to Caleb Tanis. After the defense forced a punt, Atkins took the Pioneers 74 yards in 8 plays, again finding Tanis, and MNU was down just 21-14. The defense stepped up again and forced another punt, and MNU drove 90 yards in 6 plays, capped by an Atkins to Juvantae Martin 32-yard touchdown, to tie the game. William Penn got back on track offensively and drove to the MNU 25, but Tre'Matt Pledger recovered a fumble and ran it all the way for a 28-21 lead just before halftime.

Penn tied the score on the opening drive of the second half, but Atkins and Tanis connected for their 3rd touchdown to take a 35-28 lead in the ensuing drive. Penn tied it again to start the 4th quarter, and MNU responded with a 12-play drive which ended in a field goal. The Statesmen responded with a touchdown drive to take a 4-point lead, but MNU had 2:30 remaining on the clock. Atkins drove the Pioneers to the WPU 24 yard line, including a 4th down conversion, and found Tanis once again for a go-ahead touchdown with 44 seconds left. The PAT failed after a false start penalty, however, and the Statemen had all 3 timeouts remaining traling by 2. They drove to the MNU 36-yard line, and tried a last-second 53-yard field goal. It missed wide right, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Penn another chance. The freshman kicker nailed the 38-yarder with no time on the clock, and broke the Pioneer hearts.

"I'm really proud of how hard the guys played," said head coach Paul Hansen. "We were faced with some adversity early in the game, but still came all the way back. We will learn from our mistakes and get better this week."

Turning Point
The final play of the game changed the outcome.

Individual Leaders
Blake Atkins was 24-29 for 394 yards and 5 touchdowns. Colinje Wilridge ran 17 times for 78 yards. Caleb Tanis had 11 catches for 173 yards and 4 touchdowns. Juvantae Martin had 6 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. And Troy Hall led the defense with 10 tackles.

Inside the Box Score
Penn rushed for 474 yards while MNU passed for 443 yards.

Up Next
The next game is Saturday at home vs. #5 Grand View (3-0) at 1:00.