The Basics
Score: #17 Evangel 14, #18 McPherson 40 | Box Score
Record: Evangel (3-1), McPherson (4-0)
Location: McPherson, Kan. | Paul Family Field
MCPHERSON, Kan. – Evangel Football hit the road on Saturday for a top-20 matchup in the NAIA, taking on the 18th-ranked McPherson College Bulldogs on their home field. Despite a fairly even first half of play, McPherson's offense took over late in Saturday's contest, forcing the Valor to take their first loss of the season, 40-13.
Neither team was able to score on the first two drives on Saturday, but on fourth down on McPherson's third drive, the Bulldogs had their punt blocked by Clayten O'Hara, giving the Valor exceptional field position, just four yards from the endzone. Matt Allen would find senior Broc Lyle on a short pass, giving Evangel a 7-0 lead with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
McPherson quickly responded on their following drive with a score of their own, tying the game up at 7-7 before the end of the first quarter. Evangel was unable to score on their next drive, while McPherson took their first lead by nailing a 19-yard field goal after Evangel held on the goal line, 10-7. The next two drives ended up scoreless until a McPherson defender intercepted a Luke Milligan pass, taking it to the house to extend their advantage to 17-7 with 5:30 left in the first half.
The Valor responded on their ensuing possession with a touchdown of their own on a fourth down play, as Allen once again found Lyle, this time for a 28-yard reception to cut into McPherson's lead, 17-14. McPherson added a field goal on their final drive of the second quarter to lead Evangel, 20-14, at the halftime break.
Neither team had much of a rhythm to open the second half, as Evangel was forced to punt on their first drive and Kenneth Spring came away with an interception and 55-yard return on McPherson's first offensive drive. The Valor were unable to score on their following drive and after the Bulldogs punted, Evangel again threw an interception, setting the Bulldogs up with good field position, leading to a McPherson score to take a 26-14 lead over EU after a failed two point attempt.
The Valor were unable to add any points in the fourth quarter, as Draven VanGilder provided one of the lone big plays late, forcing and recovering a fumble, as McPherson scored a pair of late touchdowns, resulting in Evangel's 40-14 loss on Saturday.
Evangel was led by Matt Allen, who threw for just 71 yards, but did have a pair of touchdown passes to Evangel's leading wideout, Broc Lyle. Noah Bryant led the Valor with 55 yards rushing on Saturday.
Defensively, Cole Austin led the Valor with 12 total tackles, while both Kolton Banks and Gennadiy Dudko both recorded sacks on Saturday. Kenneth Spring recorded Evangel's lone interception while Draven VanGilder recorded a strip and recovery.
UP NEXT
Evangel Football continues their top-25 gauntlet on Saturday (Sept. 26) night, hosting undefeated Friends in Nixa, Mo., at 6:05 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. Â
—#OneValor—
