Ozark, Mo. – The Central Methodist University Eagles football team got down early on Saturday afternoon at Evangel University. The Eagles never gave up and fought until the very end. A potential game-winning 38 yard field goal attempt by CMU kicker Raul Palacios (SO/Milan, Mo.) was blocked with 2:13 remaining in the game, and the Eagles would lose to the Crusaders 30-28.
With the loss, Central Methodist University falls to 1-7 overall, and 0-2 in The Heart's Southern Division. With the victory, the Evangel Crusaders improve to 3-5 overall, and 1-1 in The Heart's Southern Division.
The Evangel Crusaders attacked the Eagles defense early on Saturday, striking for three scores on their first three drives. After one quarter of play, Evangel led by a score of 17-0.
Central Methodist's offense got going in the second quarter, the problem was; Evangel's offense continued to roll. CMU started with the ball in the second quarter, but following three unsuccessful attempts at picking up a first down, the Eagles were forced to attempt a field goal. Evangel's Dalton Taylor blocked Raul Palacios' 22yard field goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown, to give Evangel a 24-0 lead.
For the remainder of the first half, Central held Evangel to just two field goals, while the offense struck for three touchdowns. Quarterback Caleb Bedford (JR/Houston, Tex.) connected with Keenan Honore (SR/Anchorage, Alaska) for a 75 yard touchdown pass, and he also connected with Adam Weiland (SR/Sullivan, Mo.) for a 14 yard touchdown pass. In the middle of those two scores for Central, was also a rushing touchdown from five yards out by Kevin Denis (SR/Boynton Beach, Fla.).
Unfortunately for the Eagles, they would only score once more in the game. In the fourth quarter, Bedford hooked up with Honore once more; this time for a 41 yard score. Central would end up falling to the Crusaders by a final of 30-28.
Caleb Bedford finished the game 25-for-38 with 437 yards passing, along with three passing touchdowns and one interception. Keenan Honore led all the receivers with six receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Shawn Whitley (SR/St. Louis, Mo.) and Adam Weiland both finished with over 100 yards receiving each, Whitley finished with 124 receiving yards and Weiland with 112 yards receiving.
The Eagles return to Davis Field this coming Saturday for Homecoming. Central welcomes #2 Baker University, for a 1pm kickoff.
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.
