Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist football program suffered a 27-13 loss to MidAmerica Nazarene University Saturday afternoon during Homecoming weekend.
With the loss, Central falls to 0-7 and 0-1 in Heart South Division play. MidAmerica Nazarene improves to 5-2 and 1-0 in division action.
The Pioneers cracked the scoreboard first with a 24-yard field goal at the 10:48 mark of the first quarter. MNU extended its lead midway through the second quarter on a 20-play 86 yard drive, capped by a three-yard touchdown reception.
Trailing 10-0 with under a minute remaining in the second quarter, quarterback Matthew Luna found Chase Rankin for an eight-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 10-7. MidAmerica Nazarene would respond just before half, scoring with one second on the clock on a four-yard touchdown pass. MNU drove 59 yards in six plays in just 40 seconds of action.
The Pioneers added 10 additional points in the third quarter to take a 27-7 lead into the fourth. Central battled back and trimmed the lead to 14 points on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Gavin Watts to AJ Allen. CMU was unable to gain any additional offensive traction late, as the Pioneers would go on to earn th 27-13 victory.
Allen had a career day for the Eagles, hauling in seven catches for 122 yards including a long of 34 and one touchdown reception. Rankin also recorded five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Davion Stockard continues to shine on the defensive side of the ball, leading the team with a game-high 17 tackles including 11 solo, a forced fumble, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups.
Reigning Heart Defensive Player of the Week Lontas Mcclinton finished the day with nine tackles and a forced fumble. Steve Massaquoi recorded his first career interception early in the fourth quarter, while Kyjuan Collins picked up a fumble recovery in the second quarter.
Overall, MNU held a slight advantage on time of possession at 31:05, compared to 28:55 for Central. The Pioneers also converted on three-of-four fourth down coversion attempts to keep drives alive.
The Eagles head back out on the road to face Benedictine College Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1:00 p.m. in Atchison, Kan.
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