The Basics
Score: (RV) Evangel 24, (RV) Kansas Wesleyan 16 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (4-2), Kansas Wesleyan (4-2)
Location: Salina, Kan. | JRI Stadium
SALINA, Kan. – Evangel Football concluded non-divisional play on Saturday (Oct. 3) afternoon, taking on the (RV) Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes, their fourth consecutive matchup against an opponent in the top 25 or receiving votes portion of the NAIA poll. Despite trailing 10-0 early on Saturday, Evangel rallied, taking a 24-16 win on the road to move to 4-2 after non-divisional play.
Both teams punted on their opening possessions, followed by Kansas Wesleyan recording a three-and-out, punting back to Evangel for their second possession. The Coyotes would come away with a 55-yard pick-six, taking a 7-0 lead over the Valor with 9:07 remaining in the first quarter. Both defenses continued to buckle down, as no additional points were scored in the first quarter, forcing EU to trail 7-0 at the end of the period.Â
In the second quarter, Kansas Wesleyan used a 10-play, 51 yard drive to extend their lead to 10-0 over Evangel. The Valor responded on their following possession, as Noah Bryant recorded a 40-yard rush to set EU up with a 28-yard passing touchdown from Matt Allen to Brady Allen to trail by just three points, 10-7. The Valor defense was able to use the bend, don't break, mentality on Kansas Wesleyan's possession to close the first half, as the defense held KWU to just a field goal, as EU trailed 13-7, at the halftime break.
Both teams were unable to score to open the third quarter of play, but an eight-play, 74 yard drive from Evangel's offense, capped off by an Allen touchdown pass to Bryant gave EU a one point lead, 14-13, over KWU. The following possession for the Yotes proved to be the momentum shifter in the contest, as the KWU quarterback overthrew his receiver, allowing Cullen Snow to come away with his fourth interception of the season, as the redshirt sophomore took it 24 yards to the house, extending the lead to 21-13.
Evangel fumbled and lost the ball to open the fourth quarter, setting the Coyotes up with exceptional field position. The Valor defense again rose to the challenge, holding KWU to another field goal, making it a 21-16 ballgame with 7:39 remaining in the ballgame. The Coyotes were able to hold Evangel's offense scoreless, but the Valor defense was able to get the KWU offense off the field, forcing a turnover on downs that gave EU the ball in field goal range. Cody Voysey was able to nail a field goal to extend Evangel's lead to 24-16 and with one final chance, the Evangel defense shut down KWU's offense, leading to a Talon Stephens interception, solidifying EU's 24-16 win on Saturday.
Evangel was led by Matt Allen, who threw for 152 yards and a pair of passing touchdowns, while Noah Bryant led EU on the ground with 119 rushing yards. Brady Allen led Evangel with 77 receiving yards and a score.
Defensively, Erik Spring led the Valor with eight total tackles, while Garrett Finley finished with a pair of tackles for loss. Cullen Snow and Talon Stephens both recorded interceptions in Saturday's contest.
UP NEXT
Evangel Football will enjoy their bye week and return to action on October 17th, taking on the Ottawa Braves in Kansas at 1:00 p.m., to open Kessinger Divisional Play.
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. Â
—#OneValor—
