The Basics
Score: William Penn 34 – MNU 31
Record:Â MNU (3-1), William Penn (4-0)
Location: Oskaloosa, Iowa – Statesmen Community Stadium
OSKALOOSA, Iowa – #12 MNU went toe-to-toe with unbeaten William Penn on Saturday night, but came up just short in a 34-31 loss. The Pioneers forced three turnovers and tied the game twice in the second half, but the Statesmen held on late to hand MNU its first defeat of the season.
Drew Miller threw for 202 yards and two touchdowns, while the Pioneer defense produced three interceptions - including a 44-yard pick-six from Elijah McFadden early in the third quarter. Special teams and timely plays kept MNU within striking distance, but a fourth-quarter Statesmen drive capped by a 7-yard Sterling Ramsey touchdown run proved to be the difference.
"We are obviously disappointed in the result," said head coach Ivan Cordova. "We were not consistent enough to go on the road and win a tough game like that. Credit to William Penn. They had a great plan and made it hard on us to execute. We need to be better in critical situations going forward. We will learn from this and turn our focus towards this week."
Turning Point
With the game tied at 24Â late in the third quarter, William Penn converted back-to-back field goals before marching 96 yards on a fourth-quarter drive that ended in a rushing touchdown. MNU answered with a 13-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 21-yard scoring strike to Aiyo'n Carter, but time ran out on the comeback effort.
Individual Leaders
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Drew Miller:Â 25-for-39, 202 yards, 2 TD
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Samuel Gonzalez:Â 6 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD
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Zane Hall:Â 6 catches, 38 yards
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Aiyo'n Carter:Â 2 catches, 27 yards, 1 TD
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Sherman Smith:Â 8 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches, 9 yards
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Elijah McFadden:Â 2 INT, 44-yard interception return TD
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Jonathon Brown:Â 10 tackles
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Eli Saintjuste:Â 4 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles
Up Next
The next game is Saturday at ODAC vs. Missouri Baptist (1-2) at 1:00. The new stadium should be ready for Homecoming on the following Saturday.
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