The Central Methodist University football team had four turnovers in the second half as Evangel University was able to hold the Eagles scoreless in the half and rally for a 33-21 win over CMU Saturday afternoon.
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Evangel converted a pair of first-quarter field goals to take an early 6-0 lead, but CMU answered when junior Tony Hall (Shelbina, Mo.) intercepted an Evangel pass at the Crusader 13-yard line. Sophomore Stephone Allen (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) carried the ball twice for 11 yards before sophomore Bryant Jackson (Lee's Summit, Mo.) scored on a 2-yard keeper. The extra-point by senior Tyler Padgett (Jefferson City, Mo.) gave CMU a 7-6 lead with 57 seconds left in the first quarter.
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The Eagles added to their lead on their first possession of the second quarter. After starting at the CMU 11-yard line, Jackson completed a pair of 13-yard passes to junior John Lehman (Jefferson City, Mo.)and sophomore Brandon Merritt (Munford, Tenn.), along with a 5-yard completion to Merritt. On 2nd-and-10 from the CMU 42, Jackson found a hole in the middle of the field and sprinted past the Evangel defense to score on a 58-yard carry for his second touchdown of the game.
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Evangel answered on its next possession with a touchdown, but the extra-point attempt bounced off the goal post, making the score 14-12 in favor of CMU with 9:19 remaining in the half. The Eagles stretched their lead two possessions later when Jackson connected with junior Bradley Carter (El Cajon, Calif.), who slipped a tackle and ran 61 yards for his second touchdown of the season. Padgett's extra-point gave CMU a 21-12 lead. Evangel again answered with a touchdown on its ensuing possession to cut the lead to 21-19. CMU had a chance on to extend its lead again on the final possession of the first half, but a penalty stalled the drive, and a 51-yard field-goal attempt fell short.
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In the second half, Evangel regained the lead with a touchdown on its second possession of the half, scoring with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter. The Eagles drove into Evangel territory on their next possession, but the Crusaders forced a CMU fumble, recovering it at the Evangel 43-yard line. Evangel took the ball to the CMU 32-yard line, but a 49-yard field goal sailed wide left to keep the score at 26-19 in favor of the Crusaders.
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CMU drove to the Evangel 20-yard line, before losing another fumble to end the drive. The Eagle defense forced Evangel to punt, giving CMU the ball at its own 14-yard line. The Eagles' next drive ended in an interception at their own 41-yard line, which the Evangel defender returned to the CMU 30. The Crusaders took advantage of the turnover and great field position, adding a touchdown to extend their lead to 33-21 with 6:33 left in the game.
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After the Eagles turned the ball over on downs on their next possession, the CMU defense came up big again with an interception by senior Franciou Niclas (Kansas City, Mo.) at the CMU 31-yard line. Two plays later, CMU fumbled for the third time in the game at the end of a 12-yard reception, giving Evangel the ball back at the CMU 43. The Crusaders were able to run out the clock to hold on for the win.
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CMU out-gained Evangel in total offense in the game with 389 yards to the Crusaders' 366. The Eagles were held to 150 yards of offense in the second half. Evangel won the battle of possession time, finishing with just less than 36 minutes in the game, while CMU had the ball for about 24 minutes.
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Jackson led the CMU offense with 91 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 22 attempts. He also completed 19-of-38 passing for 248 yards and the touchdown to Carter. Merritt and Lehman each caught six passes for 55 and 42 yards, respectively. Carter had 103 yards on just three catches, including the 61-yard touchdown. Junior Eric Carrillo (Chula Vista, Calif.) finished with four catches for 48 yards.
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Defensively, Hall and junior Tyler Belt (Macon, Mo.) led the Eagles with 11 tackles each. Hall also had a team-high three tackles for loss. Niclas and freshman Conner White (Jefferson City, Mo.) added 10 tackles each. Senior Matt Fraley (St. Robert, Mo.), and juniors Travis McDowell (Greenfield, Mo.) and Tom Walker (Houston, Texas) added seven tackles each, with Fraley and Walker combining for four tackles for loss.
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The Eagles dropped to 2-4 on the season, while Evangel improved to 2-3. CMU has a bye week next week, allowing the Eagles to have an extra week of preparation before traveling to face NAIA No. 11 Missouri Valley College Oct. 23 in Marshall, Mo.