The Basics
Score: Graceland 61 – MidAmerica Nazarene 35
Record: MNU (1-1), Graceland (1-1)
Location: Lamoni, Iowa – Jenner Sports Complex

LAMONI, Iowa – MNU jumped out to a two-touchdown lead Saturday night, but Graceland's explosive rushing attack took over as the Yellowjackets defeated the Pioneers 61-35.

MNU couldn't have asked for a better start. The Pioneers marched 69 yards on eight plays on their opening possession, with Sherman Smith finishing the drive on an 11-yard touchdown run. After the defense forced a punt, Spensar Sieger connected with Zane Hall for a 17-yard touchdown to give MNU a 14-0 lead with 6:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Graceland responded quickly. Derek McClintic broke a 72-yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half, and a 24-yard touchdown pass from CJ Brooks to Marlon Prout Jr. tied the game at 14 at the end of the first quarter.

AJ Johnson put MNU back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, but Graceland answered with 21 consecutive points before halftime. Brooks tied the game at 21 with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jason Wagoner before Tael Jean broke a 69-yard scoring run. Jean added a 33-yard touchdown with two seconds remaining in the half to send the Yellowjackets into the locker room ahead 35-21.

Graceland extended the lead with two third-quarter field goals before adding three touchdowns in the fourth. Smith scored his second touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run with 6:25 remaining, and Sieger connected with Isaiah Coppage for a 31-yard touchdown in the closing seconds to account for MNU's final score.

The Pioneers produced 480 yards of total offense, including 308 through the air and 172 on the ground, but Graceland piled up 707 yards. The Yellowjackets rushed for 411 yards on just 35 attempts, an average of 11.7 yards per carry. MNU also went 0-for-5 on fourth down and committed three turnovers, all interceptions.

Sieger finished 25-of-45 for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Smith led the ground game with 92 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, while Johnson rushed 17 times for 64 yards and a score. Zane Hall caught six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown, and Desmon Williams recorded seven receptions for 61 yards.

Defensively, Daquan Smith and Austyn McFadden led MNU with seven tackles apiece, while Matthew Potucek added six. The Pioneer defense recorded three tackles for loss but did not register a sack.

Turning Point
After MNU took a 21-14 lead early in the second quarter, Graceland tied the game at 21. The Pioneers then drove into Graceland territory, but Sieger was intercepted on fourth down at the Yellowjacket 10-yard line. Graceland followed with Tael Jean's 69-yard touchdown run to take its first lead, then added another Jean touchdown with two seconds left in the half to turn a 21-14 MNU advantage into a 35-21 halftime deficit.

"Tough loss the way it went down," said head coach Ivan Cordona. "That's a good Graceland team. We jumped out to an early 14 point lead, but couldn't finish. Too many mistakes cost us crucial opportunities. We will take this week to fix our issues and get ready for Culver-Stockton."

Individual Leaders
Spensar Sieger: 25-for-45, 302 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Sherman Smith: 10 carries, 92 yards, 2 TD
AJ Johnson: 17 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD
Zane Hall: 6 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD
Desmon Williams: 7 receptions, 61 yards
Quinn Nieman: 3 receptions, 55 yards
Isaiah Coppage: 1 reception, 31 yards, 1 TD
Daquan Smith: 7 tackles
Austyn McFadden: 7 tackles
Matthew Potucek: 6 tackles

Up Next
The next game in Saturday at home vs. Culver-Stockton at 6:00.