MBU Athletics

ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist Football battled with Baker University in the team's final night game of the season. A scoreless second half resulted in the Spartans losing to the Wildcats, 45-14. 

BU received the opening kick, attempting a return to set up their first drive with favorable field position. The MBU special teams had other plans, though. Dashawn Horskins put a hit on the return man, causing him to fumble. The Spartan kickoff specialist, Connor Meffen, was the man to fall on the ball, giving Missouri Baptist an opportunity from Baker's 37-yard line. 

Looking to take advantage, MBU turned to running back Elijah Stevens, who broke off a 12-yard run to the 25. The three following plays totaled eight yards to set up a fourth and two situation. The Spartan offense remained on the field, handing the ball off to Tommy Gibbar. The back was only able to gain one yard, turning the ball over on downs and giving Baker another chance to strike first. 

Strike first is exactly what the Wildcats would do. The passing attack did most of the heavy lifting, gaining 73 yards on the drive to set up a three-yard rush for the game's first score. 

Despite big gains from Stevens (15 yards) and wide receiver Jayden Hines (25 yards), Missouri Baptist was forced to punt back to Baker after their next drive. The Wildcats again took advantage, driving 84 yards and capping the series off with another rushing touchdown. 

A Spartan fumble to begin the second quarter set BU up with a chance from the MBU 42-yard line. Baker took the ball all the way down to a goal-to-go situation, but Missouri Baptist stood strong. A quarterback hurry from Talon Hance helped cause a turnover on downs. 

Ball control continuing to be a problem, Missouri Baptist would again fumble back to Baker. The Wildcats found paydirt in this instance, increasing their lead, 21-0. 

Finally, it would be MBU's time to get on the scoreboard. Facing the sizable deficit, the Spartans leaned heavily on the passing game to work down the field. Quarterback Grant Gibson completed passes of 22 and 36 yards to Larry Robinson and Hines before hitting Hines across the middle from 10 yards out for the touchdown. 

After forcing a punt, Missouri Baptist was in prime position to get right back into the thick of things. Again, working through the air raid, Gibson found receivers Zay Hamilton and Nick Watkins for gains of 10 and 20, the latter being a second score for the Spartans. 

Baker closed out the first half with an 11-play drive, ending in a field goal. The score was 24-14 entering the break. 

The second half was much more in favor of the Wildcats, especially the long third quarter in which BU scored three more touchdowns. Turnovers plagued Missouri Baptist, causing the squad to be unable to score again. 

Redshirt freshman Mitchell Price did see his first real action in 2026, replacing Gibson at quarterback halfway through the third. His night saw ups and downs, highlighted by a 29-yard completion to Chase Martin. 

After the dust settled, Baker's dominant third period would be the difference. A scoreless final period for both sides resulted in a final score of 45-14 in favor of the Wildcats. 

Gibson led MBU in passing, throwing for 209 yards and two touchdowns on 12 completions. 

Elijah Stevens gained 41 yards on the ground, while Hines led the receiving group with four catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. 

Jakobe Smith was all over the field on defense, tallying nine tackles and half a sack. Nick Stepney Jr. added a sack as well. 

Now at 2-5, MBU Football looks to bounce back in Fayette, Mo. on Halloween in a 1 p.m. matchup with Central Methodist University.