The Basics
Score: #25 Evangel 59, Saint Mary 42
Records: Evangel (4-0); Saint Mary (1-3)
Location: Leavenworth, Kan. | Berkel Memorial Stadium
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- A record setting rushing attack helped the Evangel Valor football team stave off University of Saint Mary, 59-42, Saturday afternoon in a game that was halted by lightning with three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Evangel improved to 4-0 on the season to stay undefeated after entering the NAIA Coaches Top 25 earlier this week. Saint Mary fell to 1-3 on the season after pulling within 11 points in the second half before the Valor pulled away late in the fourth quarter.
The Evangel rushing attack saw Eric Williams set a school record for most touchdowns in a game and tie the school record with four rushing touchdowns in the win. Williams helped propel the Valor rushing for more than 200 yards and four scores.
Williams' first touchdown came with 14:56 left in the second quarter as the Valor answered the first score by Saint Mary to take a 21-7 lead. Evangel had scored on each of its first two drives to build a 14-0 lead with the second touchdown being set up by a fumbled snap on a punt..
RJ Wakley found Broc Lyle for a 39-yard pass and catch at the 9:32 mark in the first quarter. After the fumbled punt, Jayden Hart plunged into the endzone from 1-yard out to push the Valor lead to 14-0.
Williams caught his second touchdown with 5:51 left before halftime on a 24-yard pass and catch from Wakley again answering a drive from Saint Mary.
Evangel scored two more times before halftime, the first coming on a 27-yard scramble from Wakley with 4:18 left in the half. Williams scored on the next drive that saw the Valor need just 16 seconds to push the lead to 40-14.
The Spires got a quick strike before the half to pull within 40-21 and would also score first out of halftime after stopping the Valor on their first possession.
Williams would score two more times in the fourth quarter, the first on a 25-yard rush that saw Evangel take a 53-35 lead and again before a lightning delay halted the game with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter. A 15-yard run by Williams saw the Valor push the lead back to 59-42.
The Evangel defense forced two turnovers and recovered the fumbled punt, with each coming as Saint Mary seemed to be gaining momentum.
Up Next
Evangel returns home next Saturday to host Ottawa at Eagle Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
