Fayette, Mo. - In front of a sold out crowd, the Central Methodist University football team posted a 44-0 shut out of Graceland University Saturday afternoon at Davis Field.
With the victory, Central improves to 3-1 overall while the Yellowjackets drop to 0-4. It is the first time the Eagles have opened the season at 3-1 since the 2013 campaign.
CMU started the game with 28 first-quarter points, scoring four straight touchdowns on each of their opening four possessions. Sophomore quarterback Paxton DeLaurent started the scoring with a 37-yard scramble into the endzone just two and a half minutes into the first. On the ensuing possession, the Eagles drove 70 yards on seven play in just two minutes, capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass from DeLaurent to Katavious Taylor.
Senior running back Manny Langlois scored his second touchdown of the season at the 5:53 mark, pushing CMU's lead to 21-0. The final scoring play of the first quarter came on 34-yard touchdown reception from Jalen Brown to Donald Clark, a drive that only took three plays and 1:41.
In the second quarter, the Central defense joined in on the scoring. After a 37-yard punt by Samuel Petrin pinned Graceland inside their own one, Mujahid Camel sacked the Yellowjacket quarterback in the endzone for a safety on 3rd down.
CMU would enter the halftime break with a 30-0 lead. After a three-and-out on their opening possession of the third, Central's offense would rebound on the next possession. On the first play of the drive, Brown found Taylor once again for a 45-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to 37-0.
Langlois concluded the scoring for the Eagles in the fourth quarter, recording his second rushing touchdown of the day from six yards out, making the final score 44-0 in favor of CMU.
The Eagles' backfield concluded the afternoon with 190 yards rushing on 38 carries, good enough for five yards/rush. Langlois led the running backs with 54 yards on seven carries including a long of 22. DeLaurent finished the day with six rushes for 45 yards including a rushing touchdown in the first. He also completed nine-of-13 passes including one touchdown.
Senior running back Armand Keely ran for 43 yards on eight carries, and Taylor once again led the receiving core with four receptions for 87 yards including two touchdown catches.
Senior punter Samuel Petrin was perfect on special teams, converting on all six of his extra points, all while recording seven kickoffs for 426 yards including two touchbacks. He also recorded three punts for 124 total yards, averaging 41.3 yards/punt.
The defensive unit was outstanding from start to finish, holding the Yellowjackets to just 156 total yards of offense. The secondary was also stellar, holding the Graceland wideouts without a reception the entire afternoon.
Le'Marcus Washington led the defense with eight total tackles including a sack and a forced fumble. London Chambers finished the afternoon with seven tackles including a half sack, and Camel picked up two sacks for a loss of 16 yards including the safety in the second.
Micheal Mexicano recorded his first career interception, and both Kyjuan Collins and Brandon Molinari picked up a forced fumble, highlighted by a 49-yard return for Collins which put CMU deep into Graceland territory. Davion Stockard collected a blocked punt late in the fourth to ice the game.
CMU heads back out on the road for a matchup against (RV) Culver-Stockton College Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m. in Canton, Mo.
#TakeFlight
