The Central Methodist University football team recorded its first shutout win in three years as the Eagles blanked Culver-Stockton 40-0 in the 2010 season opener Saturday.
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The Eagles opened the game with freshman Dominic Price (Columbia, Mo.) taking the opening kickoff of the 2010 season 89 yards for a touchdown just 14 seconds into his first collegiate game. On the ensuing Culver-Stockton possession, the Eagle defense held the Wildcats to three-and-out before junior John Lehman (Jefferson City, Mo.) got through to block the Culver-Stockton punt and give CMU possession at the 40-yard line of the Wildcats.
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The defenses controlled much of the remainder of the first quarter, and the CMU offense took over after a Culver-Stockton punt was downed at the CMU 6-yard line. The Eagles drove the ball 28 yards, before sophomore Bryant Jackson (Lee's Summit, Mo.) connected with junior Bradley Carter (El Cajon, Calif.) on third-and-17 for a 66-yard touchdown pass with 1:42 left in the opening quarter to give CMU a two-touchdown lead.
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After another defensive stop, the CMU offense marched 69 yards in five plays, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jackson to sophomore Stephone Allen (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) with 13:51 remaining in the half. The Eagles maintained the 21-0 lead heading into halftime. In the third quarter, CMU added to its lead with a pair of field goals by senior Tyler Padgett (Jefferson City, Mo.) of 36 and 34 yards. In the fourth quarter, Jackson connected on a 5-yard pass to junior Eric Carrillo (Chula Vista, Calif.) for another touchdown to make the score 33-0, before freshman Francois Mathews (Auburn Hills, Mich.) capped the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run to make the score 40-0 with 2:42 left in the game.
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Central Methodist finished with 486 yards of total offense, while holding Culver-Stockton to 160 yards for the game. The Eagles picked up 22 first downs in the game, compared to just 10 for the Wildcats. CMU converted 5-of-6 opportunities in the red zone.
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Jackson finished 22-of-37 for 332 yards passing and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 66 yards on 11 carries. Carter caught 10 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. Carrillo and senior Craig Brodie (New Iberia, La.) each had four catches for 46 yards. Allen finished with 68 yards rushing on nine carries to go with his 24 yards receiving.
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Defensively, the Eagles had 13 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks against Culver-Stockton. Junior Tyler Belt (Macon, Mo.) and junior Tony Hall (Shelbina, Mo.) led the Eagles with nine tackles each. Senior Matt Fraley (St. Robert, Mo.) had seven tackles and a forced fumble. Sophomore Bryan Plenge (Kahoka, Mo.) finished with six tackles and an interception, while sophomore Trevor Robinson (Visalia, Calif.) had five tackles, including three for losses and two sacks.
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The Eagles will take on No. 2 Lindenwood University Sept. 11 in their home opener of the season. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Davis Field. It will also be Hall of Fame Day at Central Methodist.