OLATHE, Kan. - Missouri Baptist Football travelled to face MidAmerica Nazarene in their first Heart of America Athletic Conference South Division contest. Despite a promising second quarter, the Pioneers' efficient first-half scoring proved too much for MBU.
Quarter one saw MNU receive the opening kick, drive for almost four minutes on nine plays, and score on a 24-yard reception to take a 7-0 lead. Every other possession in the opening period ended with a punt.
Quarter two was a complete flip of the script. MidAmerica Nazarene would again strike first, benefiting from a short field to set up a one-yard rushing touchdown. A second turnover by Missouri Baptist in as many drives resulted in a Pioneers' field goal attempt, extending their early lead to 17.
In the Spartans' ensuing drive, quarterback Mikey Gow connected with Jayden Hines for 29 yards before a roughing the passer call had Missouri Baptist in the redzone. Again, it was Gow, this time finding his running back, Phil Jordan, for a 19-yard gain and the squad's first score of the day.
MNU retaliated with a methodical 10-play drive, scoring again to push the lead back to 17. With just 2:50 remaining on the clock, Missouri Baptist attempted to create a scoring opportunity before halftime. That opportunity was believed to disappear when the drive was shut down after a minute and a half. However, the Pioneers were caught roughing punter Justin Sharkey, granting MBU another chance. Gow did not squander this chance, immediately sending a strike to Jordan Johnson for a second Spartan score.
The closing half played out to be less entertaining than its counterpart. Missouri Baptist opened the period with a grueling nine-minute, 14 play drive that ended in a Sharkey field goal. That score would be the final for Missouri Baptist, their total staying at 17.
MidAmerica Nazarene scored once in the final frame to diminish any hope of a comeback. Jackson Ross attempted to provide Missouri Baptist with a late surge, intercepting the Pioneer quarterback with just under four minutes, but the efforts would prove futile.
The showing dropped Missouri Baptist Football to 2-3 overall, 0-1 in conference play.
Gow saw his first start at quarterback across his young career, completing half of his passes for 191 touchdowns and the team's two touchdowns.
Phil Jordan was the lead back today, tallying 66 yards on 15 attempts, adding the one catch for a touchdown. Jordan Johnson and Zay Hamilton highlighted a two-headed receiving attack, the prior grabbing four receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown, and the latter adding five for 51.
Brach Carrington and Josiah Dye paced an active defense with eight tackles a piece, Carrington adding a sack. Jaden Woods was responsible for two sacks himself.
MBU Football heads to Fulton, Mo. for their next game, taking on William Woods University at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17th.
