SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 9th-ranked Evangel football team returns to Tiger Stadium in Ozark Saturday looking to make a final push to the postseason against Missouri Valley. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Missouri Valley holds a commanding 21-14 lead in the all-time series against Evangel. The Vikings are also 13-4 at Evangel, while the Crusaders are 10-8 in Marshall; however, Evangel has won the last two meetings including a 37-7 victory last season at Missouri Valley.
OPENING STORYLINES
► The No. 9th-ranked Evangel football team returns home for Senior Day against Missouri Valley. The Crusaders are riding a three-game win streak and have won the last two meetings against the Vikings despite trailing in the overall series.
► Evangel will honor 18 seniors on Saturday: Jansen Acklin, wr; Matt Collins, ol, Fabian Cuveilje, rb; Micah Daniels, db; Nijal Davison, dl; Jacob Eden, cb; Chase Gehring, te; Ben Friend, rb; Cam Hardesty, qb; Kade Kelley, ol; Garrett McGuire, ol; Sam Morton, lb; Andrew Poppen, db; Bailey Rettmann, lb; Harrison Schaefer, dl; Dominic Swillum, de; Dalton Taylor, db; Myles Williams, dl.
► Evangel has inched near the top defensively, ranking third in total defense allowed at 237 yards per game. Most importantly, the Crusader's scoring defense ranks 6th in NAIA, allowing teams just 12.3 points per game.
► Sophomore Anthanie Leeviraphan continues to lead the nation in interceptions with six, after picking off a Benedictine pass in the fourth quarter. He is three behind the single-season record holders at Evangel, Otis Calhoun ('88), and Omari Zackery ('01). Senior Andrew Poppen ranks 10th nationally with four interceptions.
► The Evangel offensive line has continued to be one of the best in the nation. The Crusaders rank 10th in fewest sacks allowed this season at 8.0 sacks allowed. That has helped the Crusaders rank 19th in pass efficiency.
► Senior defensive back Dalton Taylor (Strafford, Mo.) blocked the eighth kick of his career against Benedictine to break the all-time Evangel record for blocked kicks in a career. Taylor passed Daryl Dollar (95-98), who blocked seven during his career.
► Senior quarterback Cameron Hardesty threw four touchdowns for the third consecutive week to earn a second straight Heart Offensive Player of the Week honor. Hardesty ranks 4th all-time with 49 touchdowns and is 5th all-time with 4,825 yards through the air.
► Senior linebacker Sam Morton (Strafford, Mo.) continues an impressive senior season ranking fourth nationally in tackles for a loss and 11th in the NAIA in sacks with 7.5.
► New to the 2019 season, fans can purchase tickets online at www.EUAthletics.com/Tickets. Tickets can either be presented by a smartphone at the gate or by printing the ticket from an email and having it scanned at the gate.
► Download the new Heart Conference Network App for AppleTV, Amazon, or Roku and watch Evangel football games on your smart TV or smart streaming device. All Evangel games are streaming online at www.EvangelAthletics.com/Watch and are compatible with smartphones.
LOOKING AHEAD
Evangel will head into its bye week next Saturday before starting Heart South Division action, Oct. 19, against Benedictine at Tiger Stadium in Ozark.
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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