The Basics
Score: MidAmerica Nazarene 35 – William Woods 26
Record: MNU (6-3, 3-1), WWU (1-8, 1-4)
Location: Olathe, Kan. – Pioneer Stadium
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU celebrated Senior Night with a 35-26 win over William Woods on Saturday at Pioneer Stadium.
Quarterback Drew Miller threw four touchdown passes — connecting twice with Zane Hall and once each with Aiyo'n Carter and Devin Andrews — to lead the Pioneers past a scrappy William Woods team that refused to go away quietly.
After the Owls struck first with an early touchdown, MNU quickly responded. Miller found Andrews for a 13-yard score, then hit Carter on an 18-yard strike to take a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter. The Pioneers extended their advantage to 21-10 when Miller connected with Hall on a 27-yard touchdown late in the second, before William Woods trimmed the deficit to 21-17 just before halftime.
MNU wasted no time regaining control after the break. Axel Aldino plunged in from a yard out to make it 28-17, and on the ensuing kickoff, the Pioneers recovered a fumble deep in Owl territory. One play later, Miller found Hall again — this time for an 8-yard touchdown — to extend the lead to 35-17.
William Woods battled back with a field goal and a 42-yard touchdown pass late in the third, but MNU's defense clamped down from there. Led by Jonathon Brown's 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks, the Pioneer front seven harassed the Owls all night, racking up seven total sacks and forcing two turnovers. Elijah McFadden also snagged a first-half interception to halt a promising drive.
The Pioneers leaned on their ground game to close it out, with Devin Andrews rushing for 117 yards on 18 carries and Aaron Johnson adding 48 on 12 totes.
"It feels good to get back to winning," said head coach Ivan Cordova. "I am proud of the way our coaches and players fought through some adversity to earn the win. I can't wait to get back to work on Monday."
Turning Point
Early in the third quarter, MNU turned a 21-17 lead into a 35-17 cushion in just 18 seconds. Aldino's 1-yard touchdown run was followed by a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff, setting up Miller's 8-yard touchdown to Hall on the very next play.
Individual Leaders
Drew Miller: 14-for-31, 152 yards, 4 TD
Devin Andrews: 18 carries, 117 yards; 2 rec, 23 yards, 1 TD
Aaron Johnson: 12 carries, 48 yards
Zane Hall: 6 receptions, 68 yards, 2 TD
Aiyo'n Carter: 3 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
Jonathon Brown: 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 FF
Ladislao Jaimes: 8 tackles, 1 sack, 1.5 TFL
Elijah McFadden: 5 tackles, 1 INT
Up Next
The next game is Saturday at Missouri Valley (3-5, 0-4) at 1:00.
