THE BASICS

Score: Evangel 21 – MidAmerica Nazarene 52

Records: Evangel (2-5, 0-1 Heart); MidAmerica Nazarene (4-3, 1-0 Heart)

Location: Tiger Stadium – Ozark, Mo.

OZARK, Mo. – After a hot start, the Evangel University football team was unable to hold an early lead Saturday, falling 52-21 to MidAmerica Nazarene in the Heart of America Conference opener for both teams. 

A blustery afternoon caused the Crusaders to battle for field position all afternoon with the visiting Pioneers. Unfortunately, the wind would play favorites with MNU who controlled most of the clock and scored four times in the second quarter to answer an early Evangel touchdown. 

After forcing a Pioneer punt, the Crusaders started off with a big 40-yard pass play from Blake Woodard to Dallas Hester. The pass and catch set-up back-to-back carries from Brock West who burst into the endzone giving Evangel an early 7-0 lead with 10:19 left in the first quarter. 

Riding momentum, Evangel forced another three-and-out by MNU, but the ensuing drive was cut short after the first of three turnovers by the Crusaders. The Pioneers won the turnover battle picking off Evangel twice and recovering one fumble. 

The Pioneers were forced to settle for a 32-yard field goal as the Crusader defense held strong during the 12 play 35-yard drive with 2:11 left in the first quarter. 

The next drive would see Evangel turn the ball over for the second time in as many possessions' setting up a 19-yard touchdown by MidAmerica Nazarene. MNU needed just 2 plays and 24 seconds to take a 10-7 lead with 26 seconds still left in the first quarter. 

From there, the visitors would use the wind to control field position, scoring four times to build a 38-7 lead at halftime. Following intermission, Evangel was unable to stop the Pioneers again after a 58-yard pass and catch from Trey Cooper to Devon Boyce pushed the MNU lead to 45-7. 

Evangel added a pair of late scores, first a pass from Woodard to Chance Smith from 15-yards out, followed by another pass and catch from Daniel Philpot to Jake Arnold. The second score came in the final minute of the game. 

On offense, the Crusaders completed just eight passes for 99 yards and finished with 142 yards on the ground. MidAmerica Nazarene tallied 493 yards of total offense and rushed for 240 yards compared to Evangel's 268 yards of total offense. 

Devon Overall led Evangel defensively with 11 tackles, as Josh Evans finished with seven tackles and 1.0 tackles for a loss.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE                     
- Evangel used eight different running backs as Brock West led the Crusaders with 55-yards and one touchdown.   

- The Crusaders also saw three different quarterbacks see action on Saturday. 

- Saturday's game was the first home game in almost a month for Evangel. The last home game was on Sept. 17 against Culver-Stockton.

UP NEXT
Evangel continues home action as they battle with Central Methodist for Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. from Tiger Stadium in Ozark. 

For the latest information on Evangel athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com.

---www.EvangelAthletics.com---