FULTON, Mo. — Missouri Baptist University football (4–6, 3–3 Heart) closed out the 2025 season in dominant fashion on Saturday afternoon, powering past William Woods University (1–10, 1–5 Heart) for a 52–17 road victory at the North Campus Athletic Complex. The win secures back-to-back victories to finish the year and gives the Spartans a .500 conference record to wrap up the season.

Quarterback Jacob Jones accounted for 286 total yards and four touchdowns, while running back Lionel Banks rushed for 131 yards and two scores, becoming MBU's all-time rushing touchdown leader with 24 career TDs. Senior wide receiver Gavin Claud added seven receptions for 71 yards, pushing him to 2,040 career receiving yards—the second Spartan ever to surpass 2,000, joining Isaiah King.

Jones also finishes the season with 2,095 passing yards, becoming just the second quarterback in program history to eclipse 2,000 yards in a single season.

The defense delivered another disruptive performance, producing five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, and a blocked punt while holding the Owls scoreless for the final 29 minutes of the game.

First Quarter
MBU opened the scoring quickly, needing just three plays on the opening drive as Jacob Jones hit Shane Becker on a 48-yard touchdown strike to make it 7–0. After WWU responded with a 72-yard score, Jones connected with Jared Steward on a 23-yard touchdown to regain the lead.

William Woods tied the game at 14–14, but MBU closed the quarter with a 42-yard field goal by Ian Zohner to take a 17–14 advantage.

Second Quarter
The Spartans extended the lead to 24–14 with a one-yard touchdown by Lionel Banks - his record-breaking 24th career rushing touchdown, and his first score of the afternoon. MBU struck again just before halftime when Jones broke free on a 60-yard rushing touchdown with :02 remaining, sending the Spartans into the break ahead 31–14.

Third Quarter
MBU took complete control in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points.
• Jones punched in a one-yard rushing score on the first play of the period.
• Banks followed with a 21-yard touchdown run.
• On the next possession, Gavin Claud delivered a highlight moment, throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to Becker, marking Claud's first career passing touchdown and Becker's second score of the day.

MBU led 52–14 after the explosive quarter.

Fourth Quarter
The Spartans' defense continued to dominate, forcing multiple punts, producing pressure throughout, and stopping WWU's final red-zone drive short of the end zone. The Owls added a late field goal with two seconds left.

Up Next

MBU concludes the 2025 season at 4–6 overall and 3–3 in Heart play, winning two straight to close the year. The Spartans will now shift into offseason preparations as they build toward the 2026 campaign.