Fayette, Mo. – The Central Methodist University football team suffered a heartbreaking loss on Saturday evening, by a final of 28-27 to Graceland University at Davis Field.
With the loss, Central Methodist University falls to 1-4 on the season, while Graceland University improves to 2-3 overall.
The Eagles scored on their first drive of the ballgame, putting together a magnificent 11 play drive that went 59 yards in three minutes and 40 seconds. The drive was capped off by a one yard rushing score by Kevin Denis (SR/Boynton Beach, Fla.). Kicker Raul Palacios (SO/Milan, Mo.) added the PAT, to give CMU the early 7-0 lead.
Just six minutes later, the Eagles put together an eight play drive for just 22 yards that was capped off by a 31 yard field goal by Raul Palacios. CMU then held a 10-0 lead.
Graceland would begin to put together a comeback from there. The YellowJackets got on the board for the first time, with just a minute remaining in the first quarter. Kicker Wade Metcalf booted a 52 yard field goal that bounced off the cross bar and fell over to give Graceland three points. Metcalf would tack on another field goal to begin the second quarter, making it a 10-6 score in favor of CMU.
The Eagles took 42 seconds on the very next drive to put more points on the board, as quarterback Caleb Bedford (JR/Houston, Tex.) connected with Keenan Honore (SR/Anchorage, Alaska) for a 62 yard passing touchdown; giving CMU a 17-6 lead. Raul Palacios would then add a 25 yard field goal later in the quarter, extending CMU's lead to 20-6.
Graceland would fight back for another score before halftime, in this back-and-forth battle. The YellowJackets connected on a 14 yard passing touchdown with about two minutes remaining in the half. At halftime, CMU held a slim 20-13 lead.
The second half would be owned by Graceland, as they scored on back-to-back drives, midway into the third quarter. However, on both touchdowns Graceland was unable to convert on their two point conversion attempts.
CMU QB Caleb Bedford found receiver Adam Weiland (SR/Sullivan, Mo.) for a 52 yard passing touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter, giving CMU a 27-25 lead.
The fourth quarter featured sloppy play by both teams, with both offenses struggling to find a rhythm. Graceland had the ball with under two minutes to play and attempted a 39 yard field goal to take the lead. The kick was blocked by Damien Stevens (SR/Piscataway, NJ) and it looked like CMU would hold on for the win. The Eagles ran the ball on first and second down, for a combined negative three rushing yards. Following a Graceland timeout, Caleb Bedford ran on a third and 13, and was tackled after picking up a yard. CMU was then forced to punt, following a timeout.
Then the fun began for Graceland. The YellowJackets had 21 seconds to make magic happen. Following a short return of five yards on the punt, Graceland ran a hook-and-ladder and got out of bounds with four seconds left. A facemask penalty was called on CMU, and the ball was moved up to the 10 yard line. Graceland's kicker Wade Metcalf then attempted and made a 27 yard field goal as time expired, giving Graceland the 28-27 victory.
Central hits the road next Saturday, to face 12th ranked Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas for a 1pm kickoff. Following a bye week, the Eagles return to Davis Field on Saturday October 15th, to host their rivals; Missouri Valley College. The game is scheduled for an 11am kickoff, and can be seen live on ESPN3.
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.
