Fayette, Mo. - In arguably their biggest game of 2021, the Central Methodist Football team upset (RV) Benedictine College by a score of 30-24 Saturday afternoon at Davis Field.
With the win, CMU improves to 5-2 and 1-0 in Heart South Division play, while the Ravens drop to 4-3 and 0-1 in the South.
The victory over Benedictine marks the first win for Central against the Ravens since the 2009 season, when Central won 45-26 on Sept. 19, 2009 in Fayette.
Central's offense stalled on the opening possession, but after a fumbled snap by the Benedictine quarterback, Mujahid Camel recovered in Raven's territory to give Central excellent field position.
The Eagles' offense capitilized on the mistake, recording a 31-yard seven play scoring drive in a little over two minutes, capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Manuyl Langlois.
On the ensuing possession, Benedictine marched down to the Eagles' one-yard line, looking to even the score. However, senior linebacker Anthony Hernandez stopped the Raven's running back and forced a fumble which was recovered by the Eagles.
Central then drove 87 yards on 18 plays, to the Raven's 12-yard line, where senior placekicker Samuel Petrin converted on a 29-yard field goal to put the Eagles out in front 10-0.
Benedictine would trim CMU's lead to 10-7 on the following possesssion via a 17-yard touchdown pass with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter. Central answered right back as Paxton DeLaurent found Trayvon hards from eight yards out to push the lead back to double-digits.
The Ravens' offense would not go quietly, scoring 14 unanswered points to close the half and take a 21-17 lead into the locker room.
Benedictine looked poised to score again on the opening drive of the third, chewing up 7:36 of the clock. However, the drive stalled and when the Ravens' looked for the field goal fake on fourth and nine, Khari Henley stopped the BC punter short of the first down marker.
Central's offense moved quickly down the field, as a pass from Delaurent to Langlois broke free, and Langlois nearly scored on a 75-yard reception, falling just short of the end zone at the Raven's four-yard line.
The Eagles scored four plays later on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Delaurent to go back out in front, 24-21. Central tacked on a 32-yard field goal from Petrin to end the third quarter with a 27-21 advantage.
BC looked to gain traction in the closing frame, driving 64-yards on nine plays to open the fourth. However, CMU's defense held stout and the Ravens' failed to convert on a 28-yard field goal, which went wide left of the up rights.
An interception by the Benedictine defense on the following possession stymied Central's offense and the Eagles' defense once again had to make a stop to keep momentum from shifting. The Eagles did just that, as Brandon Molinari intercepted a pass from the BC quarterback to preserve CMU's lead.
Two possessions later, CMU converted on a 32-yard field goal following a fourth down stop by the defense to push the lead to two possessions. Despite the Raven's trimming the lead to six in the closing minutes, the following onside kick went out of bounds and the Eagles' were able to run out the clock and earn their first win in Heart South Division play.
Delaurent finished the afternoon with 14 completions for 236 total yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing, carrying the ball 11 times for 63 yards and a one-yard touchdown run. Langlois followed with 45 rushing yards on 12 carries and a touchdown.
Camel led the defense with 10 tackles including a fumble recovery. The trio of Erik Mays, Hernandez, and London Chambers each collected eight tackles, while Hernandez also recorded a forced fumble and recovery.
Central's defense held the Raven's offense to 0-for-2 on fourth down conversions to preserve the six-point victory.
CMU heads back out on the road to face MidAmerica Nazarene University Saturday, Oct 23 at 2:00 p.m. in Olathe, Kan.
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