SERIES HISTORY
Benedictine leads the all-time series 20-14 over Evangel. The Ravens have also won the last four meetings while trips to Atchison, Kan., have been just as unfriendly for the Crusaders. Evangel's last win on the road against the Ravens came in 2007 as the Crusaders took a 34-31 victory.
OPENING STORYLINES
► Evangel continues its season opening road swing at Benedictine Saturday. Evangel is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Ravens and earn the first win in Atchison, Kansas since 2007. The Ravens hold a 20-14 lead in the all-time series with the Crusaders.
► Benedictine, who is receiving votes in the preseason poll, took down No. 11 Missouri Valley 42-17 at home last weekend in the season opener for both teams. The Ravens led 21-7 at the half before three fourth quarter touchdowns sealed the win.
► Evangel trailed 13-10 last Thursday at Grand View before a fumble recovery for a touchdown gave the Vikings a 20-10 lead early in the third quarter. Evangel scored with 5:26 left in the quarter, but Grand View scored 17 unanswered points in the 17 minutes of the game.
► The Crusaders out-rushed Grand View in the first half finishing the game with 162 yards on the ground with the Vikings totaling 216 yards. Each team placed a running back over the 100-yard mark as Zayne Kyser (Salem, Mo.) finished with a career high 109 yards for the Crusaders.
► Cameron Hardesty (Norman, Okla.) made his first collegiate start at quarterback throwing for 167 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Hardesty. He also managed to spread the ball around seven different receivers caught a pass.
► Returners on offense for Evangel include all-conference linemen, Josh Carlton (Cassville, Mo.) and Kade Kelley (Urbana, Mo.). Joining the duo of Carlton and Kelley will be Garrett McGuire (Springfield Hillcrest), Chase Gehring (Willard, Mo.), CJ Jackson, and Matt Collins, all who started or saw increased snaps last year.
► Junior place kicker Derek Roberts (Springfield/Glendale HS) connected on his 35th consecutive extra point last Thursday. Roberts is two shy of the school record for consecutive extra points made, as he also connected from 25 yards. Last season Roberts was 28-for-28 on PAT while going 12-of-17 on field goals with six from 30-yards or farther.
► 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 make its home debut next weekend against Peru State. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 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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