SERIES HISTORY
Evangel leads the all-time series with Culver-Stockton 27-4 and has won the last two meetings with the Wildcats. Last season the Crusader won in Ozark, 59-13 over Culver-Stockton to improve to 13-1 against CSC at home. On the road Evangel leads the series in Canton, Mo., as well, 13-3, with the last road loss coming 2014.
OPENING STORYLINES
► Evangel heads back on the road for the third time out of four games this season, Saturday, Sept. 16 at Culver-Stockton. The Crusaders have won the last two meetings against the Wildcats and hold a 27-4 advantage in the all-time series.
► Evangel won in a rout last year in Ozark against the Wildcats, 59-13. The Crusaders finished with 470 yards of total offense after blocking a field goal and a punt that was returned for touchdowns. Evangel went on to block six kicks last season after blocking eight in 2015.
► The Crusaders are coming off win number one of 2017 after a 21-19 victory over Peru State. Evangel scored 14 points in the third quarter and finished with 200 yards passing from Cam Hardesty on 11-of-19 with two touchdowns. Dallas Hester led the receiving corps with three catches for 110 yards and one touchdown.
► Defensively, Evangel spent most of the evening in the Bobcat backfield with two sacks and 11 tackles for a loss as a team. Senior defensive end Josh Evans (Pleasant Hope, Mo.) recorded both sacks for 13 yards lost and added four tackles for a loss while also recovering one fumble. Evans who is already the career and single-season leader for tackles for a loss move his 2017 total to 5.5 after setting the school record with 21 last season.
► Junior defensive back, Isaiah Daniels (Branson, Mo.) led Evangel with 15 tackles against Peru State as brother, and sophomore Micah Daniels finished with 13 tackles. Isaiah also leads Evangel with 24 tackles through three games with 1.0 sack and 2.0 tackles for a loss.
► Evans presence in the backfield has also allowed him to climb the Evangel record books for career sacks. The senior is 5th with 21.5 career sacks and just one sack behind fourth place Michael Odom (92-95). Jay Hellwig (91-94) holds the all-time record with 45.5 sacks.
► Junior place kicker Derek Roberts (Springfield/Glendale HS) etched his name in the record books with his 42nd consecutive extra point made. Roberts passed Drew O'Cain (2012) who had connected on 38 straight as the previous record holder.
► Junior wide receiver Dallas Hester (Strafford, Mo.) added to his solid start to 2017 with his first 100-yard receiving game since his freshman season and second of his career against Peru State. Hester finished with 147 yards twice in 2015, first against Peru State and second against Avila.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel returns home to host William Penn in the first Blackout of the season. The game will also mark the induction of six new members into the Evangel Athletics Hall of Fame with a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
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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