Olathe, Kan. – The Central Methodist University Eagles football team ran into a tough MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers squad on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers topped the Eagles by a final of 49-27 in Olathe, Kansas.

With the loss, Central Methodist falls to 1-9 overall, and 0-4 in The Heart's Southern Division. With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 6-4 overall, and 3-1 in The Heart's Southern Division.

The Pioneers jumped out to an early lead on Saturday afternoon and never looked back in their victory over the Eagles. MidAmerica Nazarene struck for 21 points in the first quarter of play. All three scores came on quick attack drives. First the Pioneers struck for a 44 yard touchdown pass on their first offensive play of the game to take a 7-0 lead. Two and a half minutes later, the Pioneers scored their second touchdown of the game on a 10 yard rush by Javon Taylor. The drive took three plays, and went 61 yards in a minute and 39 seconds to see the Pioneers extend their lead to 14-0. Taylor wasn't finished, with a minute remaining in the quarter, he broke out for a 68 yard rushing touchdown to put the Pioneers ahead at 21-0.

The Eagles offense came to live in the second quarter. CMU put together an 11 play drive that lasted over four minutes and went 82 yards. The drive was capped off by a two yard rushing touchdown by Royce Long (SR/Stockton, Calif.).

Following another big play strike for the Pioneers, CMU responded with a big play of their own. Eagles' quarterback Caleb Bedford (JR/Houston, Tex.) connected with Dillon Britt (SR/Kearney, Mo.) on a 51 yard touchdown pass, to make the score 28-13; following the missed PAT. The Pioneers would then strike for two more touchdowns to take a 42-13 lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Eagles scored two more touchdowns, but it wasn't enough as they fell 49-27 to MidAmerica Nazarene University.

In a losing effort, Caleb Bedford finished 18-for-30 for 244 yards with three passing touchdowns and one interception. Keenan Honore (SR/Anchorage, Alaska) led all receivers, with five catches for 77 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, the Eagles were led by Wes Davis (SR/Boonville, Mo.). He finished with a team high eight tackles, and one tackle for a loss.

Central Methodist closes out their 2016 season on the road next Saturday at Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon.

For more information about Central Methodist University athletics, visit http://www.cmueagles.com. Follow CMU athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cmathletics and on Twitter twitter.com/cmueagles.