SERIES HISTORY
Evangel leads the all-time series with Peru State 6-4 and has won three straight home games against the Bobcats. The Crusaders and Bobcats met four times from 1984-87 as the series discontinued until Peru State joined the Heart and the series renewed in 2011. Since 2001, Evangel is 4-2 falling only in 2011 and last season in Peru, Nebraska, 42-10.
OPENING STORYLINES
► Evangel makes its home debut Saturday against Peru State at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. as the Crusaders begin their second season calling Ozark High and Tiger Stadium its home field. Last season Evangel finished 3-3 at home bringing its all-time home record to 111-92-1.
► Evangel will honor members of its original football team with a brunch, tailgate and on field recognition Saturday. Evangel football played its first season of intercollegiate football in 1977 under head coach Denny Duron. The Crusaders finished 3-6 during that first season and quickly improved to 5-6 the next season highlighted by a 33-21 victory over Missouri State.
► Peru State enters at 2-0 on the season with wins over Avila, 31-14 and last weekend against Central Methodist, 40-20. With a heavy run attack, the Bobcats, again continue to rank at the top of the conference in rushing averaging 266.5 yards per game.
► Evangel fell in its second-straight road game last weekend at Benedictine after trailing just 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. However, two quick scores in the final 3:30 minutes of the game on drives less than three minutes gave the Ravens a 17-3 lead at intermission.
► Junior running back, Zayne Kyser (Salem, Mo.) has continued to carry the load for the Crusaders out of the backfield. Kyser ranks fifth in the Heart in rushing averaging 83.5 yards per game through the first two contests for Evangel.
► Defensively, Evangel continues to be led by Josh Evans (Pleasant Hope, Mo.) and Dalton Taylor (Strafford, Mo.). Both lead the way with 12 tackles each, while Evans has added to his all-time school record tackles for a loss with 1.5 this season. The senior defensive end also ranks fifth with 19.5 sacks as Michael Odom (1993-95) is in fourth with 22.5 career sacks.
► Junior placekicker Derek Roberts (Springfield/Glendale HS) connected on his 36th consecutive extra point Saturday. Roberts is one shy of the school record for consecutive extra points made. Last season Roberts was 28-for-28 on PAT while going 12-of-17 on field goals with six from 30-yards or farther.
► On offense, the Crusader continue to spread the ball around through the air with nine different players recording a catch through two weeks. Dallas Hester (Strafford, Mo.) leads the way with nine catches for 92 yards, while Brady Collier (Strafford, Mo.) is averaging 18.4 yards per catch. Chance Smith (Seneca, Mo.) leads Evangel in receiving yards with seven catches for 111 yards and one touchdown.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel returns to the road to face Culver-Stockton under the lights. Kickoff from Canton, Mo., is scheduled for 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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