The Basics

Score: (RV) Evangel 0, #7 Friends 53 | Box Score

Record: Evangel (3-2), Friends (5-0)

Location: Wichita, Kan. | Adair-Austin Stadium

WICHITA, Kan. – Evangel Football hit the road on Saturday (Sept. 27) evening, taking on a tough seventh-ranked Friends Falcons squad that leads the nation in rushing yards. Knowing the task at hand, Evangel knew that mistakes needed to be few and far between to remain competitive in Saturday's contest. Unfortunately, uncharacteristic mistakes in all three phases of the game forced the Valor to fall, 53-0, on the road against the Falcons.

After a three and out, a bad snap on a punt attempt for Evangel led to the ball rolling through the back of the endzone, giving the Falcons an early 2-0 lead. The Valor defense was able to hold Friends to a field goal on their first offensive possession, trailing 5-0.

After a promising kickoff return from Drew Ripko, Evangel was set up to put points on the board. Sitting at the Friends 20-yard line, Reid Potts threw to Broc Lyle, who was stripped of the ball, with possession going to Friends to stall the EU drive.

EU forced a punt, but in turn had to punt on their next drive. Friends would not punt on any further drives the remainder of the game, as the Falcons would score 53 points and keep Evangel off the scoreboard.

Draven VanGilder led Evangel with nine tackles, while three different Evangel athletes recorded tackles for loss. Cullen Snow finished with a pair of pass breakups in the loss.

Reid Potts finished his day with 111 passing yards, while Cameron Harris led all Evangel rushers with eight total rushing yards, as EU finished with 124 yards of offense and -13 yards on the ground rushing.

Saturday's loss was the largest deficit of an Evangel loss (against NAIA opponent) since November 10th, 2012, when Evangel fell at MidAmerica Nazarene, 56-3.

UP NEXT

Evangel returns home for homecoming next Saturday (Oct. 4) afternoon, taking on (RV) Kansas Wesleyan at 1:05 p.m. in Nixa, Missouri.