Area college football: Baker, Benedictine win big, MidAmerica Nazarene falls short

Benedictine rolled to 78 points in a blowout victory in an NAIA football game in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Meanwhile in NCAA Division II, Northwest Missouri won in a shutout and remained unbeaten in MIAA games.

Here are the highlights from KC-area and regional games Saturday:

Benedictine 78 vs. William Woods 3: In a game between two teams at opposite ends of the Heart of America standings, the Ravens dominated at home in Atchison, Kansas. Luke McCormick rushed for 118 yards, 56 of them on a TD run for Benedictine (7-1, 3-0 HAAC). Blake Dapkus blocked a punt and returned it 16 yards for a touchdown that put the Ravens up 21-3 in the first quarter. William Woods dropped to 1-7.

Baker 42, Central Methodist 3: Max Nichols (Gardner Edgerton) blocked a Central Methodist punt and Errol Siemon (Eudora) returned the ball 27 yards to the end zone in Fayette, Missouri. The TD gave Baker a 42-0 lead in the third quarter. The Wildcats have won four straight and are 4-3 overall, 4-0 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

Grand View (Iowa) 32, MidAmerica Nazarene 28: The Pioneers led the whole game (including 14-0 and 28-17) before NAIA No. 1 Grand View scored the last touchdown in Olathe. The Vikings (7-0) have beaten Baker, Benedictine and now MidAmerica Nazarene this season. The Pioneers have lost two straight and are 5-3. MidAmerica Nazarene’s Aiyo’n Carter had a haul of nine receptions for 103 yards with a TD on a Drew Miller pass that opened scoring in the game.

Northwest Missouri St. 14, Nebraska-Kearney 0: It was a homecoming shutout by the Bearcats in Maryville, Missouri, and Northwest improved to 6-0 in the MIAA and 7-1 overall. The Lopers are 5-4 overall (3-4 MIAA). Davis O’Shea, Clayton Power (Blue Valley) and Michael Harrison (Blue Springs) each had an interception for the Bearcats.

Fort Hays State 13, Washburn 10, OT: Michael Polley’s 34-yard field goal in overtime was the winner for Fort Hays State in Topeka. Ichabod Ky Thomas rushed for 95 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown in the loss. Fort Hays State is 5-4; Washburn dropped to 2-6.

Emporia State 31, Central Missouri 27: The Hornets spoiled the Mules’ homecoming with two fourth-quarter touchdowns in Warrensburg. Emporia State quarterback Jamison Sarver, a freshman who played in high school at Olathe North, passed for 288 yards with two TDs. Each team is 3-3 in MIAA play: Emporia State is 4-4 overall, Central Missouri 3-5.

Missouri Western 19, Missouri Southern 12: The Griffons took their 1-6 record into Joplin and took care of business. It was Missouri Western’s first MIAA victory this season. Missouri Western (2-6) ran for 200 yards (129 yards by Brandon Hall on 25 carries with one TD) and held Missouri Southern (3-5) to minus-12 yards rushing. The Lions’ Isaiah Padello caught five passes for 134 yards.

Ottawa 28, Tabor 21: Luke Edwards connected with Key Long on a 30-yard pass play for the winning touchdown with 36 seconds left. The Braves ended a four-game skid with the late heroics on homecoming in Ottawa, Kansas. Both teams stand 3-5 on the season.

McKendree (Ill.) 54, Lincoln 48: The Blue Tigers fell behind 28-0 in the first quarter but rallied and made it close in Lebanon, Illinois. Blue Tigers quarterback Jaylen Thomas threw for 417 yards with two TDs. Thomas was also sacked four times and was picked off once. Lincoln’s Marcus Harris caught seven passes for 175 yards with a 41-yard touchdown.

Upper Iowa 28, William Jewell 10: Tyler Kubat completed 16 of 19 passes for 186 yards with a TD and an interception for the Cardinals. But the Peacocks scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to put this one away in Liberty. William Jewell fell to 2-6, Upper Iowa improved to 6-2.

Evangel 58, Avila 0: Evangel quarterback Reid Potts threw four touchdown passes in the blowout win in at Avila (1-7). Evangel improved to 6-2.

McPherson 66, Saint Mary 0: The Spires were outpaced by a dominant McPherson team in McPherson, Kansas. Delvin Lewis caught three passes for 39 yards for Saint Mary.