Grand View leads the all-time series 2-0 against Evangel. Last year in Ozark, Evangel took a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime against the Vikings. However, Grand View scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to finish a 35-17 win over the Crusaders. In the first meeting in 2015 in Des Moines, Iowa, the Vikings won 47-21.
OPENING STORYLINES
► Evangel opens its 41st season of collegiate football under the lights Thursday night at Grand View University. The 9th-ranked Vikings are one of four Heart teams ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 on the Crusaders schedule.
► The Crusaders finished 4-7 last season with one of the top defenses in the conference. Evangel finished third with 27.5 sacks last year, averaging 2.5 per game.
► Grand View won the Heart North Division last season finishing 9-3 before falling to Lindsey Wilson in overtime in the NAIA Football Championship Series First Round. The Vikings were the top team in the Heart in defense allowing just 19.1 points per game.
► Returning to help lead Evangel in 2017 is senior defensive end,
Josh Evans (Pleasant Hope, Mo.). Evans led the nation last season in forced fumbles and was sixth in sacks with 12.5. During his junior season, Evans also ranked in the top 10 nationally in tackles for a loss finishing with 21 tackles for a loss.
► The Evangel defense will welcome back eight starters from last year's team. Joining Evans at defensive end will be junior
Telacey Wilder who finished with 12.0 tackles for a loss, five sacks and an interception a year ago. Top tacklers,
Isaiah Daniels (Branson, Mo.),
Dalton Taylor (Strafford, Mo.) and
Dante Young all return in the defensive backfield for the Crusaders.
► The Crusaders also return a majority of their wide receivers led by senior
Chance Smith (Seneca, Mo.) and juniors
Dallas Hester (Strafford, Mo.) and
Brady Collier (Strafford, Mo.). Collier led all receivers with 36 catches while Hester finished with 323 yards and two touchdowns. Smith Caught three touchdowns to lead the group and finished with 228 yards receiving.
► Senior
Josh Evans also broke into the all-time top 10 for sacks with 19 as he is tied for fifth. Evans also set the career record for tackles for a loss with 44.5 after posting 21.0 last season to set the single-season Evangel record.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel will travel to Benedictine next weekend for an afternoon matchup with the Ravens. Kickoff from Atchison, Kansas is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.
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