ST. LOUIS - After a troublesome first half the Spartans trailed by three scores, but the defense tightened up and the offense got into the endzone enough to force overtime that brought a victory to MBU by a score of 44-37.
The first quarter did not go in MBU's favor as they found themselves down 20-2 as they only scored on a blocked PAT, and Culver-Stockton scored first in the second to make it 27-2.
With under five minutes remaining in the first half, Missouri Baptist finally got going with the offense marching 66 yards on 14 plays capped off with a Lionel Banks touchdown run to make it 27-8 going into the halftime break.
Following the break the Spartans struck first after a big pass from Jordan Simpson to Joseph White for 41 yards leading to another Banks touchdown run this time from 18 yards out.
Culver-Stockton got back on the scoreboard with a 31-yard field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter to make it 30-15. The Wildcats forced a three and out and got in the endzone with under 10 minutes remaining giving themselves a 22 point lead over the Spartans.
Missouri Baptist had to start scoring and scoring fast and that is what they did as they responded with a touchdown of their own on a four play, 65 yard, and 58 second touchdown drive with Simpson going 4-4 and finding Julian Williams in the endzone for a four yard touchdown pass. A successful two-point conversion brought the Spartans within 14 points of the Wildcats.
The Spartan defense held strong and forced a three and out, and White took the punt return 64 yards to paydirt with six minutes left to play in the contest. Once again the Spartans' defense forced a punt, this time with 2:47 left on the clock for the offense to go to work, and they did so.
Simpson and the offense worked their way down the field efficiently and effectively, and from 26 yards out Simpson threw a laser into the endzone that found the hands of Nick Watkins for a touchdown. Jonah Cox knocked in his third PAT of the afternoon tying the game at 37 all with 1:21 remaining.
1:21 was a little too much time left on the clock for the Wildcats, and their offense quickly marched up the field. The Spartans' defense bent but did not break keeping Culver-Stockton out of the endzone and forcing a 30-yard field goal attempt, and with hopes of capping off a fabulous comeback the Spartans broke through the middle of the line and got a hand on the kick to force overtime.
The previous matchup between these two teams ended in overtime with Culver-Stockton blocking Missouri Baptist's field goal and making one of their own to top the Spartans 33-30.
MBU only needed two plays from scrimmage in OT to get into the endzone as they got the ball first and Simpson hit Kaden Solverud on a corner at the pylon making it 44-37.
Needing a stop for the win the Spartans' defense continued their successful second half into overtime and did not allow the Wildcats to get into the endzone sealing the deal on a three score comeback for MBU.
The Spartans found success throughout the afternoon as Simpson threw for 275 yards, Banks rushed for 99 yards, and four receivers had over 40 yards each.
The special teams unit for the Spartans played a vital role in the victory over Culver-Stockton as they blocked two fields (1 PAT) and returned a punt for a touchdown accounting for a couple handfuls of points.
Dabrein Moss led the charge defensively with 16 total tackles trailed by Kaden Lutjen-Williams with 11 and Nick Stepney and Giovanoi Sanes both with 10.
The win brings MBU to 2-1 and they will play their first away game next Saturday against Peru State in a night game at 6:00 P.M.
