ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University football dropped a Heart of America matchup to Baker University on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Field, falling 52–16.
Quarterback Jacob Jones paced the Spartans (2–6, 1–3 Heart) with 131 passing yards and a touchdown on 13 completions, while adding 19 yards on the ground on eight attempts.
Senior running back Lionel Banks led the offensive effort, rushing 22 times for 129 yards and a touchdown. His fourth-quarter score marked his first rushing touchdown of the season and brought his career total to 22, moving him within two of the program's all-time record.
Gavin Claud hauled in four receptions for a team-high 68 yards and a 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Shane Becker contributed two catches for 18 yards, and Landon Lunt added a 26-yard reception.
Defensively, Evan DeWilde anchored the unit with a team-high 15 tackles. Nick Stepney and Kenner Bye each posted eight stops, while Brady Davis and Bye recorded sacks as the Spartans totaled nine tackles for loss.
Kicker Ian Zohner converted a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter, improving his streak of makes from 47 yards or longer this season.
First Quarter
Baker opened with a pair of rushing touchdowns to take a 14–0 lead. MBU answered late in the quarter as Zohner drilled a 47-yard field goal to trim the deficit to 14–3.
Second Quarter
After Baker extended the lead on a touchdown pass, MBU responded quickly. Jones found Claud on a 44-yard strike to make it 21–10. Baker added another rushing touchdown before halftime to take a 28–10 advantage into the break.
Third Quarter
Baker capitalized on field position and added a touchdown midway through the quarter to extend its lead to 35–10.
Fourth Quarter
Baker tacked on a field goal and two touchdowns before MBU closed the game with a five-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Banks with 44 seconds remaining.
Up Next
MBU returns home for Senior Night and Homecoming next Saturday, Nov. 8, hosting Central Methodist University at 5 p.m. at Spartan Field.
