Pioneers Beat Valley in Shootout

The Basics
Score: MNU 49 - Missouri Valley 42
Record: MNU (7-3, 3-1), MVC (3-7, 0-4)
Location: ODAC | Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - The Pioneers took a big early lead and held on to beat Missouri Valley 49-42 on Saturday. After the teams traded punts on their opening possessions, Anthony Sao picked off a pass in the end zone to keep Valley off the board. The Pioneers went 80 yards in 8 plays as Blake Atkins found Paul Saint Louis for a 7-yard touchdown, then Troy Hall forced a fumble and MNU scored again in 5 plays for a 14-0 lead. Sao showed up again in the next drive with another interception, and the Pioneers went 70 yards in 6 plays for another score and a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Valley scored on back-to-back possessions after converting an onside kick, but MNU pushed the lead back to 28-14 at halftime. MNU opened the second half with a 14-play 75-yard 6-minute drive, capped by an Atkins to Caleb Tanis 14-yard touchdown and a 3-score lead. The teams traded touchdowns in the second half, and Valley came back to get within 1 score in the final minute, but the onside kick went the way of the Pioneers and victory formation ended the game.

Turning Point
MNU led 21-0 in the 1st quarter.

Inside the Box Score
MNU had over 100 more total yards than Valley.

Individual Leaders
Blake Atkins was 32-45 for 371 yards and 6 touchdowns. Caleb Tanis had 10 catches for 166 yards and 4 touchdowns. Shawn Cherry had 19 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. Paul Saint Louis and Cayden Brown recorded TD catches. And Anthony Sao had 8 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a pass breakup.

Up Next
The next game is Senior Day on Saturday at home (ODAC) vs. #6 Benedictine (9-1, 4-0) at 1:00. The Pioneers need a victory to be Heart Co-South Champs.