SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel Valor host the McPherson College Bulldogs on Saturday (Sept. 20) evening at 6:05 p.m. in a battle of unbeatens, as EU looks to avenge their home loss to the Bulldogs last season.
Following Saturday's matchup, SkyGlow Drones will light up the sky, performing a drone show for all fans to enjoy postgame.
OPENING STORYLINES
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Evangel tenth-year head coach Chuck Hepola enters Saturday's contest with a 64-33 overall record, the second most wins by a football head coach at Evangel, just two wins behind former head coach Keith Barefield (66).
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Evangel was picked to finish first in the Kessinger Division coaches and media poll. In the Bissell, Friends was picked just slightly over Southwestern in the coaches and media poll. McPherson was chosen to finish third in the coaches poll, but fourth in the Bissell in the media.
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The Valor jumped to #22 overall in the first edition of the NAIA Top 25 Coaches Rating. In the KCAC, Friends is ranked #8, while Southwestern dropped to #20. Kansas Wesleyan is still currently receiving votes. An updated top 25 rating comes out every Monday the rest of the season.
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Evangel and McPherson match up for the third time in program history, as Evangel looks to bounce back after their first loss to the Bulldogs last season, 34-27. EU was victorious in '23 on the road, 17-7.
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Eric Williams leads Evangel in rushing yards and total offensive yards, currently with 447 yards rushing and 620 total yards this season. Williams has rushed for six touchdowns and reeled in four from the air to open the season.
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Broc Lyle currently sits ninth all time with 16 total receiving touchdowns, leading the team so far this season with 224 yards receiving.
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Reid Potts leads Evangel at quarterback, throwing for 705 yards so far this year and seven touchdown passes.
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Cullen Snow recorded his team high third interception in last Saturday's road win over Southwestern.
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Draven VanGilder leads Evangel defensively with 22 total tackles, while Deacon Peterson leads EU in tackles for loss and sacks, with five and three, respectively.
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Cody Voysey went 5-5 for PATs last week, moving his season total to 19-20 overall.
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Jaren Foster finished last Saturday's road matchup with a blocked PAT and three pass breakups.
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—
