The Basics
Score: MNU 38 - Graceland 24
Record: MNU (3-0), GU (2-2)
Location: ODAC | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - The #19-ranked Pioneers trailed 21-7 late in the first half, but rallied to beat Graceland 38-24 on Saturday. The Yellowjackets had the ball for most of the 1st quarter, as a 16-play drive ended with a 4-th down stop and a 10-play drive ended with a touchdown. But MNU answered with a
Cameron Finley 1-yard touchdown early in the 2nd quarter. Graceland scored a touchdown on their next drive, then blocked a field goal to set up another touchdown drive for a 21-7 lead with 6 minutes left in the half. The Pioneers went 75 yards in 11 plays - including a 4th & 4 touchdown pass from
Adrian Parsons to
Myles Hymes - to get back into the game. And
Marcos Flores forced a fumble on the ensuing kick return to get up the Pioneers near midfield. Parsons finished the drive with a 6-yard scramble for a touchdown, and the game was tied at 21 at halftime.
MNU started the 2nd half with a 13-play 75-yard drive - including a 4th & 6 touchdown for 34 yards from Parsons to
EJ Rogers - to take the lead. And a
Maxwell Webber interception on 4th down led to a 14-play 64-yard drive which ended in a
Trevor Highley 24-yard field goal. Early in the 4th quarter, Graceland managed a 32-yard field goal, but the Pioneers answered with an 8-play 60-yard touchdown drive from Parsons to Rogers, to push the lead to 14.
Kevin Ledesma-Garcia sealed the game with an interception on the next drive, and MNU won 38-24.
"Our guys really played hard for the whole 60 minutes," said head coach
Paul Hansen. "Graceland is a great team, and to go on a 31-3 run to win the game was very impressive. I'm proud that our defense held that offense to just 3 second half points, and it was a great team victory."
Turning Point
Graceland's fumbled kickoff return led to a tie game at halftime.
Individual Leaders
Adrian Parsons eclipsed 7,000 career passing yards and was 25-39 for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 27 yards and a score.
Cameron Finley ran 20 times for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Shawn Cherry averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 64 yards.
EJ Rogers had 6 catches for 93 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Myles Hymes caught 4 passes for 37 yards and a TD.
Kidd Dickerson had 7 tackles. And
Maxwell Webber and
Kevin Ledesma-Garcia each recorded an interception.
Up Next
The next game is Saturday at St. Ambrose (2-1) at 1:00.
