DES MOINES, Iowa – The Central Methodist University football team faced a buzzsaw Saturday afternoon, falling to No. 10 ranked Grand View University, 47-27.
The Eagles had 421 yards of offense, but struggled to get anything going on the ground, only rushing for 22 yards.
Central Methodist quarterback Dante Vandeven (SR/Jackson, Mo.) threw for 399 yards and two touchdowns. Katavious Taylor (SO/Memphis, Tenn.) caught eight targets for 149 yards and one touchdown, while Damontay Allen (JR/Conway, Ark.) snagged seven passes for 127 yards. Manuyl Langolis (SO/Houston, Texas) picked up his first career touchdown on a seven-yard pass from Vandeven, and led the rushing game with 17 yards.
The Vikings raced out to a 20-0 lead to start the game before the Eagles found the scoreboard after a 23-yard field goal by Sam Petrin. Grand View responded by marching 74 yards down the field in three plays to earn a touchdown. Central Methodist answered with back-to-back scoring drives. First was a 79-yard pass from Vandeven to Taylor for the Eagles' first touchdown, followed by another Petrin field goal, cutting the deficit to 27-13. A quick strike from the Vikings left the Eagles trailing at halftime, 34-13.
A promising Central Methodist drive to start the third quarter was halted by a Grand View interception, ultimately resulting in a Viking field goal. Devynn Armstead (FR/Franklin, La.) had a stellar 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, bringing the score to 44-20 to close the third quarter.
Grand View scored their last points with a field goal early in the fourth quarter. Vandeven connected with Langolis on a seven-yard pass, but the Eagles couldn't get any closer. The loss moves Central Methodist to 1-2 on the season.
Darrius Henton (SR/Stockton, Calif.), Luis Bello (JR/Miami, Fla.) and Travis Burris (SR/Jefferson City, Mo.) led the CMU defense with six tackles each. Bello also recorded the team's only sack in the game for a loss of two yards.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Davis Field for the Hall of Fame Game. Kickoff time is set for 6 pm against William Penn University.
