OSKALOOSA, Iowa – Missouri Baptist Football had their hands full with an experienced William Penn team that currently sits at No. 19 in the NAIA.
The Statesmen were active from the jump, receiving the opening kickoff and needing just one play to score, the result being a 68-yard pass. However, four straight three-and-outs between the two teams would quickly slow the game back down. A break would quickly come for the Spartans and William Penn, pinned within their own 10-yard line, punted for just 11 yards, putting Missouri Baptist on the edge of the red zone to begin their drive.
MBU was able to take advantage, as quarterback Grant Gibson and receiver Jared Steward connected for a 13-yard pickup, setting up first and goal. Elijah Stevens was the man tasked with punching in the score, doing so to even the game at 7-7.
In their final drive of the opening quarter, WPU would go 69 yards eight plays, resulting in their second touchdown and gaining the lead again. Another quick score in the third and the Spartans were soon down 21-7.
Attempting to claw their way back, Gibson again found Steward to open Missouri Baptist's next drive, the junior racking up 46 yards. Stevens would immediately follow with another explosive play in the form of a rush for 19. Now deep in Statesmen territory, Justin Sharkey would nail his only field goal of the night to bring the Spartans total to 10. After a William Penn field goal, the score would be 24-7 entering half.
On the other side of the break, Missouri Baptist would find little success on offense. Drives littered with penalties and turnovers prevented the Spartans from cutting the deficit down. WPU, on the other hand, took their opportunities as they came, scoring three more times for a final score of 41-10.
MBU was paced by Gibson, who threw for 136 yards. Steward, the only Spartan receiver with more than a single catch, led the squad with seven for 92 yards. Stevens would again be the lead man in the backfield, carrying the ball 12 times for 58 yards.
The defense did their best to hold William Penn's attack, led by Brach Carrington with nine total tackles and a tackle for loss. David Cooper V sacked the quarterback 1.5 times, while Jayden Roling, Jaxon Hunter, and Nick Stepney each got home once. Ke'Vaughn Griffin and Adam Suter each added a pass breakup
The Spartans will look to rebound with an exciting homecoming matchup against Mount Mercy University, a program in their first year of competition, on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 7 p.m.
