Baker tops Benedictine in Gridiron Challenge

▪ MIDAMERICA NAZARENE 20, NO. 7 MISSOURI VALLEY 17: A fourth quarter burst helped MidAmerica Nazarene pull off an upset in the first game of the NAIA Gridiron Challenge at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 10-0 lead with a 21-yard field goal by Christian Casillas and a 38-yard passing touchdown from Brandon Jeffries to Bo Miller but their fortunes turned from there.

The Pioneers gave up 17 unanswered points, which included a 30-yard interception return by Byron Evans. That set MidAmerica Nazarene back a touchdown going into the fourth quarter.

Casillas answered with a 32-yard field goal to start the quarter, and Erik May ran in the winning touchdown from 2 yards out. It was May’s only carry of the game.

Miller led the Pioneers with 109 yards and the touchdown on six receptions, and Trent Hedlund completed 21 of his 37 passes for 257 yards through the air for MidAmerica Nazarene.

With the victory, the Pioneers improved to 4-1 in bouncing back from its first loss of the season to Central Methodist last week.

▪ AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE 32, MISSOURI STATE 28: The Bears’ Kierra Harris and Calan Crowder each rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the loss. Harris led the team with 65 rushing yards and 113 passing yards. He completed 12 of his 25 passes with one interception.

▪ NO. 1 NORTHWEST MISSOURI 50, LINDENWOOD 21: Brady Bolles helped the Bearcats capture their 21st consecutive victory with two passing touchdowns. He connected with 11 different receivers and went 16 for 25 on the day for 204 yards.

▪ NO. 18 PITTSBURG STATE 45, EMPORIA STATE 17: Gavin Lutman set a new Pittsburg State and NAIA single-game record with 268 receiving yards. Four of his 10 receptions from Anthony Abenoja went for touchdowns as the Gorillas overcame an early 10-0 deficit.

▪ CENTRAL MISSOURI 44, WASHBURN 0: The Mules’ Hayden Hawk completed 18 of his 32 passes for 194 yards through the air and also added 61 yards on the ground with three touchdowns. Will Mondragon had three field goals as Central Missouri improved to 4-2.

▪ MISSOURI WESTERN 26, FORT HAYS STATE 7: Raphael Spencer scored two rushing touchdowns, including one for 71 yards, in the Griffons’ victory. Skyler Windmiller added another rushing touchdown and completed 15 of his 26 passes for 153 yards for Missouri Western.

▪ QUINCY 59, SOUTHWEST BAPTIST 34: Willie Tindal passed for four touchdowns and broke a Great Lakes Valley Conference single-game passing record with 477 passing yards in the loss. Two of his touchdown passes went to Nathan Mourik who had seven receptions for 167 yards.

▪ MISSOURI S&T 21, LINDENWOOD-BELLEVILLE 3: Missouri S&T picked up its third consecutive victory to even its record at .500 for the year. Lamar Wilkes connected with Melvin Stovall for a 95-yard touchdown pass which tied a GLVC record for the longest pass play from scrimmage.

▪ WILLIAM JEWELL 21, TRUMAN STATE 17: The Cardinals overcame a 17-point deficit and remain undefeated in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Nick West connected with Anthony Mullins for a touchdown and ran for another to give the Cardinals the lead in the fourth quarter.

▪ NO. 21 OTTAWA 24, AT SAINT MARY 14: Michael Behr ran for two touchdowns and Luke Lundy added another as Ottawa picked up its third consecutive victory. Lundy led the team with 163 rushing yards in 30 carries. Ottawa improved to 4-2.

▪ AT EVANGEL 54, AVILA 20: Kelwin Burke was Avila’s only real offensive threat. Burke rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Jordan Radenbaugh connected with Lansana Sesay on Avila’s other touchdown. Avila was held to 204 yards of total offense.