FORT WAYNE, Ind. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist's plan for the beginning of the game was flawless. After scoring on its first two plays in the first quarter, the team from St. Louis learned why St. Francis is the No. 4-ranked squad in the nation. The Cougars posted 28 first-half points en-route to a 56-24 win over the Spartans.

Missouri Baptist (2-7, 2-3 MSFA) took to the field and stunned a senior day crowd after posting touchdowns on not only the first two drives of the game, but the first two plays. Gunnar Griffin's first pass of the day ended-up in the end zone as Isaiah King caught the ball over the middle and took it 82 yards to put the Spartans up 7-0.

With one of the top quarterbacks in the NAIA, the Cougars responded on the ensuing drive. Nick Ferrer led his team on a nearly equally impressive, three-play, 50-yard drive. The junior signal-caller hit Adrian Harris to cap the drive with a 32-yard score to make it 7-7.

Missouri Baptist came right back on the first offensive play after the kickoff. This time, Griffin hit King down the left sideline for an 88-yard touchdown, which silenced the crowd in Fort Wayne.

The Cougars, however, continued to roll while the Spartan offense stalled. St. Francis posted 42 unanswered points and pulled away to take a dominant 49-14 lead into the half.

The Spartans put together one final touchdown drive in the third quarter as the MBU offense regained its composure. Kendell Davis posted his first touchdown of the season on an 11-yard carry to give the Spartans 21 on the board.

Ethan Metzler tacked-on a 32-yard field goal with 8:23 remaining in the game as the Spartans fell in a tough game.

Nick Ferrer has a monster day for the Cougars. The junior finished his day 22-30 passing with 421 yards and six touchdowns.

Isaiah King put together a career day and became the new leader at MBU in receiving yards in a game. In just three receptions, the freshman recorded 176 yards.

Gunnar Griffin also set a record on the first pass completion, which became the longest pass completion in the history of the program at 82 yards. He bested that under a minute later with his 88-yard connection with King.

Missouri Baptist will go back to work next weekend on the longest trip of the season. The Spartans will descend on Ann Arbor, Mich., to tangle with the Concordia Cardinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00pm CDT.