Springfield, Mo – Evangel suffered another heartbreaking loss on Saturday as Baker, ranked second nationally in the NAIA, stopped the Crusaders come from behind effort scoring a touchdown with 48 seconds left to win 38-35 at JFK Stadium.

Evangel trailed 31-7 at halftime and were down 31-14 to start with fourth quarter before grabbing momentum. Baker quarterback Nick Marra had a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage and Evangel LB Josh Evans picked the ball out the air and returned it 21 yards for touchdown that brought the Crusaders within 10, 31-21 with 10:37 left.

The Crusaders pulled within a field goal of the lead with 2:24 remaining completing a 77 yard drive on a 32 yard TD pass from Brett Diers to Noah Pierce.

Trailing 31-28, Evangel's defense forced a Baker punt from their own 23 yard line. Cephas Mitchell blocked the punt attempt and the Crusaders recovered the loose ball in the end zone giving the Crusaders their first lead of the game, 35-31, with 1:46 left.

Baker countered in the closing moments and got their only points of the second half on Adonis Powell's seven yard touchdown run with 48 seconds remaining. The Wildcats started the drive at their own 39 after Evangel kicked off from the 20-yard line due to a celebration penalty called on the Crusaders' sideline following the blocked punt and touchdown.

The Wildcats stopped the Crusaders at midfield as time expired for the win.

The loss was Evangel's fourth in five games that was decided on the final play with the margin seven points or less. It was also the third time they fell by three points.

Kelvin Coleman led the Crusaders offense with 85 rushing yards on 15 carries. Devon Overall had 14 tackles to lead Evangel's defense.

Powell had 177 yards of rushing to lead Baker.

Evangel ended the season with a 3-8 record and 0-5 in the Heart of America conference's Southern Division. Baker improved 10-1 and 5-0 in the division. The Wildcats will advance to the NAIA Championship Series next week.

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