ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University football dropped its Heart of America Athletic Conference Clash of the Week matchup on Saturday afternoon, falling 41-14 to Graceland University at Spartan Field. The Spartans totaled 309 yards of offense but were unable to slow a Yellowjackets attack that threw for five touchdowns and scored on four of six red-zone trips.

The game was concluded early in the fourth quarter due to lightning in the area.

Quarterback Jacob Jones threw for 183 yards on 15 of 30 passing and added 76 yards on the ground. Calvin Griffin hauled in a 40-yard touchdown late in the first half, finishing with 56 all-purpose yards. Gavin Claud added six catches for 80 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass from running back Jared Steward early in the fourth quarter.

On defense, Justin Lehn forced two fumbles and recovered one, while Javon Huff picked off a pass late in the second quarter to close out the first half. Jaylon Williamson and Ke'Vaughn Griffin led MBU with six tackles apiece, with Williamson adding 1.5 tackles for loss.

First Quarter

Graceland struck first on a 31-yard touchdown pass from CJ Brooks to Gerald Monroe with 7:53 left. Brooks later found Aaron Bullock II from eight yards out to make it 14-0.

Second Quarter

The Yellowjackets extended the lead with scoring tosses to PJ Caldwell and Javon Minor to make it 28-0. Missouri Baptist answered just before the half when Jones connected with Griffin for a 40-yard touchdown, trimming the deficit to 28-7 at the break.

Third Quarter

Brooks capped a seven-play, 68-yard drive with a 14-yard rushing score, pushing the Graceland advantage to 35-7.

Fourth Quarter

Steward's 15-yard touchdown pass to Claud pulled the Spartans within 35-14, but Graceland answered with Brooks' fifth touchdown pass of the afternoon to Bullock II, sealing the 41-14 final.

Up Next

MBU (1-2) travels to Olathe, Kansas, next Saturday to face No. 12-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.