THE GAME: Missouri Baptist University will play its fifth game of the 2015 season and its third MSFA Mideast Division game against Taylor (Ind.) on Oct. 3, 2015 in St. Louis, Mo. The game will be the first of a three-game home stand for the Spartans. It will also mark the first game at Westminster Christian Academy.
SEARCHING FOR A SPARK: There is no avoiding the 76-0 loss at No. 8 Marian a week ago, but the Spartans will need to have a short memory as Taylor comes to town in an early start time. MBU will be without Shaun Geary after sustaining a lower-body injury a week ago, but will hope to get some other key pieces back in linebacker Donvontae Johnson and safety Eddie Calderon. The Spartan Quarterback situation also became even more murky as three played in last week's game. Billy Ritchie, Jordan Norwine and Jacob Hunt all will figure into the mix.
SCOUTING TAYLOR: Taylor put together its best game of the season a week ago in a blowout 40-0 win over Olivet Nazarene. It wasn't its highest scoring affair, but it was dominant on both sides of the ball. In 2015, the Trojans are averaging over 35 points per game and will look to do the same against the Spartans. Of its two losses, one was against University of St. Francis (Ind.) and the other against NCAA Division I (FCS) Butler.
The passing attack is led by freshman signal-caller Everett Pollard, who has tossed 12 touchdowns on the season and has averaged nearly 260 yards of passing. Additionally, Pollard was named the MSFA Mideast Division Offensive Player of the Week this week.
Shawn Lashbrook will be the main receiver threat in the end zone. The senior has caught eight touchdown passes in 2015 and has over 350 yards receiving.
FOR THE RECORD: Tyler Hach had an incredible 535 yards of punting in last week's loss to Marian. This season, the Pattonville High School product leads the nation in punting yards with 1,522 in four games. He leads the next highest punter by 392 yards... Last week's loss was the second biggest margin of defeat for MBU since the first game in the history of the program, a 77-0 loss to NCAA Division I Southeast Missouri State.
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