The Basics
Score: #21 Evangel 3, #25 Southwestern 21
Location: Eagle Stadium | Nixa, Mo.
Records: Evangel (7-2, 2-2 KCAC), Southwestern (9-1, 3-1 KCAC)
Box Score
NXIA, Mo. -- A battle of top 25 teams Saturday afternoon saw the 21st-ranked Evangel Valor football team come up short, 21-3, against No. 25 Southwestern in KCAC Divisional play.
Looking to rebound from the first loss of the season, the Valor were unable to overcome five turnovers against the Moundbuilders.
The loss drops Evangel to 7-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play while Southwestern improves to 9-1 overall and 3-1 in the KCAC.
Both teams jumped on the scoreboard early with Southwestern marching 70 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead. Evangel answered with a Jonah Edwards 22-yard field goal as the first quarter ended 7-3. Edwards' field goal ties the Evangel career record with 35 field goals made during his career equaling the mark set by Drew O'Cain in 2012.
A 54-yard touchdown run by Southwestern's Christian Stewart put the Moundbuilders up 14-3 midway through the second quarter.
From there both teams struggled to finish drives and capitalize. Despite allowing 423 yards of offense, the Evangel defense managed to keep Southwestern off the scoreboard most of the day.
A goal line stand with 1:58 left in the third quarter proved promising and shifted the momentum toward the home team; however, the Valor offense was unable to capitalize going three-and-out.
Offensively, Eric Williams rushed for 81 yards on 18 carries, while Reid Potts threw for 152 yards on 14 of 36 passing.
Broc Lyle led all Valor receivers with six catches for 40 yards.
Southwestern saw two running backs rush for 80 and 82 yards, while the Moundbuilders rushed for 245 yards as a team and added two touchdowns.
Evangel forced two turnovers including a fumble recovery in the endzone to stop a Southwestern scoring threat. Bradley Myers recovered the fumble for a touchback as the senior led the way with 14 tackles and a sack. Fellow senior Nate Swofford equaled Myers on senior day with 14 tackles as well.
Riley Childs pulled down an interception late in the third quarter stopping a Southwestern drive also.
UP NEXT
Evangel closes out the regular season next Saturday on the road at Bethel. Kickoff in North Netwon, Kansas is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.
—#OneValor—
