Springfield, Mo. - The Central Methodist University football team defeated Evangel for the second-straight season by a score of 27-20 Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Mo. 

With the win, the Eagles improve to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the Heart South Division. Evangel falls to 2-5 and 1-3 in conference play. 

CMU opened the scoring with a 32-yard field goal from Samuel Petrin late in the first quarter, giving Central a 3-0 lead. The Crusaders responded with a touchdown early in the second but failed to convert on the extra point attempt after a block by Will Miles. Both teams went scoreless for the rest of the half as Evangel took a 6-3 lead into the locker room. 

Central came out in the third quarter and capitalized on a 12-play 63-yard scoring drive with a 20-yard field goal by Petrin, tying the game at 6-6. The Eagles regained the lead after Paxton Delaurant found Katavious Taylor on a 39-yard touchdown pass at the 6:37 mark of the third quarter. 

After the defense forced a Crusader three-and-out, CMU pushed their lead to 20-7 after Delaurant snuck into the endzone on a quarterback keeper. EU trimmed the Eagles' lead to eight on a two-yard touchdown run, but once again missed the extra point, keeping the score at 20-12 late in the third. 

CMU pushed its lead to 27-12 after Delaurant found junior wide receiver, Kooper Wilson, on a 30-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Evangel continued to battle as they scored on a pass play from 22-yards out. 

After both teams exchanged possessions, Evangel gained possession of the ball looking to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth. Senior linebacker Anthony Hernandez supplied the game-sealing interception as the Crusaders were marching into the red zone, making the final score 27-20 in favor of the Eagles. 

Delaurant completed 17-of-31 passes for 179 yards with a pair of touchdowns. The freshman QB was also the team's leading rusher, picking up 37 yards on 12 carries and a rushing touchdown. Taylor finished the game with his third 100-yard outing of 2020, recording a season-high eight receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. 

Khari Henley led the defense with nine tackles, followed by London Chambers who collected eight. Mar'Quess Daniels had a solid outing on the defensive side of the ball, finishing the day with five tackles, including three and a half for loss and two forced fumbles, and an interception. 

Overall, the defense held the Evangel quarterback group to 15-of-31 for 122-yards. 

The Eagles will conclude the 2020 season with a matchup against MidAmerica Nazarene University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1:00 p.m. at Davis Field. The game will also serve as Central's senior day, as the senior class will be honored prior to kickoff. 

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