SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 8th-ranked Evangel football team returns to Iowa for the final non-conference Heart crossover game of 2018 against the Graceland Yellowjackets.
SERIES HISTORY
The Crusaders and Yellowjackets meet for the 31st time on Saturday with Evangel holding a 22-8 lead in the all-time series. The Crusaders have won three straight against the Yellowjackets who are under the direction of second-year head coach, Marc Kolb. Evangel has also won three straight at Graceland as the series also holds the only double-overtime game in Evangel's history, a 31-24 victory in 1996 in Lamoni, Iowa.
OPENING STORYLINES
► The 8th-ranked Evangel Crusaders wrap up Heart cross-division play on Saturday at Graceland. The Crusaders look to win their third straight against the Yellowjackets and fourth consecutive in Lamoni, Iowa. Evangel has climbed to No. 8 entering week seven of the season holding their highest ranking in over a decade. Evangel opened the 2006 preseason ranked sixth after checking in at No. 8 in the 2005 postseason poll.
► The Crusaders sit at 6-0 for the first time since the 2001 season when Evangel ran the table going 10-0 during the regular season. Evangel finished the year 11-1 after a second-round playoff loss to conference foe Benedictine ended the Crusaders season. It marks the fifth time in program history the Crusaders have started 6-0 joining the 2001, 1997, 1996, and 1988 teams
► Senior defensive end, Telacey Wilder moved into a tie for seventh all-time with 28 tackles for a loss. Wilder holds the spot with Lamont Wynn (1988-01) as Josh Evans set the career record last season with 64 total tackles for a loss.
► After throwing for 236 yards in Saturday's win, Cameron Hardesty moved into 10th all-time at Evangel in passing yards with 2,635 yards. Hardesty passed Doug Miolen (88-90) who is now 11th with 2,400 career yards passing. The Norman, Oklahoma, native tossed two touchdowns and moved into 8th all-time with 26 passing touchdowns and 7th all-time with 28 total touchdowns.
► Defensively, the Crusaders rank among the nation's leaders in sacks and rushing defense. Evangel is 5th with 20.5 total sacks, as Taylor Green ranks 14th and Telacey Wilder ranks 21st. The defense also ranks 14th in NAIA in scoring defense holding opponents to 15 points per game.
► A first-quarter interception was the first Evangel turnover since week two against Grand View. The Crusaders have turned the ball over just six times this year after giving the ball away four times in the season opener against SAGU.
► Pulling away in the second half is exactly what has helped Evangel in its 6-0 start. Saturday's game at William Penn was the first time Evangel has trailed at halftime this season. However, with 22 second-half points, the Crusaders are outscoring opponents, 35-3 in the third quarter this season. In addition to outscoring teams 88-50 in the first, Evangel has used that third quarter to seal all six wins.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel begins conference play next Saturday at Tiger Stadium against Central Methodist in the Hall of Fame Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics 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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