Box Score Game Box: Post Game Interview:
Springfield, Mo. – Evangel hung on to a two-point halftime lead and their defense shut out 12th ranked William Penn in the second half for a 19-14 win Saturday at JFK Stadium.
William Penn jumped in front of the Crusaders 7-0 less than four minutes into the game but Evangel responded with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Bo Dean to Brady Collier to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:51 left in the first quarter.
The Crusaders seized the lead late in the first quarter when they converted a 3rd and 26 on a 48 yard TD on a throw from Dean to Collier giving Evangel a 13-7 advantage after the extra point was blocked.
Evangel added a 48 yard field goal by Derek Roberts to go up 16-7 in the second quarter before William Penn pulled within two points of the lead. The Statemen's Nate Van Veldueizen scored on a 9 yard run cutting the Evangel lead to 16-14.
After neither team scored in the third quarter, the Crusaders got some breathing room in the fourth period on a 40 yard field goal by Roberts stretching their lead to 19-14.
Evangel shut out William Penn in the second half holding the third ranking rushing offense in the NAIA to 239 yards on the ground, nearly 100 yards less than their average. The Crusaders stopped the Statesmen on four of five fourth downs in the game.
Collier caught six passes for 67 yards and two TD's. Devon Overall had 18 tackles to lead the defense while Josh Evans and Dalton Taylor added 12 stops each.
Evangel improved to 3-2 while William Penn dropped to 3-2.
With the win over a ranked opponent, the Crusaders strike 'gold.' Gold 'N Glaze on Chestnut Expressway donuts provides donuts to Evangel players for every win by the team over a nationally ranked opponent.
Evangel is home against next week in their Homecoming game Saturday at Plaster Stadium in Springfield. The Crusaders face Graceland for a 7 p.m. game on Missouri State's campus.
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