SHAWNEE, Okla. – Missouri Baptist allowed 398 rushing yards and 566 all-purpose in a 59-7 loss at the hands of Oklahoma Baptist University on Saturday.
Missouri Baptist (0-3) looked flat from the outset and was unable to capitalize on mental errors by the Bison. Oklahoma Baptist was charged with 10 penalties totaling 97 yards, but it did not affect the offense much as the home team continued to pound the ball through the Missouri Baptist line.
Oklahoma Baptist found success, especially out of the wildcat offense. Tailback Dawson Meyers rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Frankie Edwards recorded two scores, leading all players in the game.
The Spartans held the Bison relatively quiet early, but as OBU began to focus on its ground game, MBU struggled.
Missouri Baptist managed 188 yards of total offense, 123 of which were in the air. Three of those yards came on DeMarco Billups strike to Kalen Petty to make it a 24-7 game to start the third quarter.
The Bison began the first quarter with quick score to take control early. OBU quarterback Blake Woodard marched the team 68 yards in a drive that lasted 1:22 to post the first touchdown of the game.
After one quarter of football, the Spartans were down by just seven, but the Bison began to move the ball much more effectively. Frankie Edwards punched-in his first of two touchdowns on the day in with just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter to extend the lead to 14-0. A touchdown and a field goal later, the score was 24-0 as the opening half concluded.
The Spartans looked to have come out of halftime with helpful adjustments. A 3:42 drive, capped-off with the Kalen Petty touchdown, cut the lead to 17. This, however, was as close as it got in the second half.
An interception deep in Spartan territory and a fumble on the kickoff led to two more OBU scores as the Spartans dropped to 0-3 on the year.
Oklahoma Baptist was led by Frankie Edwards on the day. Edwards cashed-in with 151 yards on the ground while quarterback Blake Woodard ended his day with 144 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Oklahoma Sooner transfer Nyko Symonds also finished with 101 yards in receiving with a 46-yard reception.
JP Lowery led the Spartan rushing attack on Saturday with 59 yards on the ground. DeMarco Billups finished his day with 123 yards passing and one touchdown to Petty.
Missouri Baptist will head back home for the first home game of the season against William Penn University. Earlier Saturday, the Statesman upset the No. 6-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00pm at CBC Field.
