MVC VIKING FOOTBALL SEASON ENDS WITH LOSS TO CARROLL (MONT.)

 

VIKING FOOTBALL SEASON ENDS WITH LOSS TO CARROLL (MONT.)

 

 

Marshall, Mo. (November 30, 2013)- The No. 7 Missouri Valley College football team went on the road Saturday to Helena, Mont., for a NAIA Football Championship Series Quarterfinal matchup with No. 3 Carroll (Mont.) College.  Carroll defeated the Vikings 27-3, bringing an end to the Missouri Valley season.

 

Carroll received the opening kickoff, but the Viking defense forced a three-and-out to start the game, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 10-yard line following a punt.  The Vikings put together an impressive opening drive, picking up four first downs.  The big play on the drive was a Junior Running Back James Tillman (Kansas City, Mo.) 13-yard rush, to move MVC to the Carroll 41-yard line.  However, the Saints defense stiffened, and moved MVC back seven yards on the next three plays forcing the Vikings to punt near midfield to end the drive.

 

The Vikings had only one additional first quarter drive, which ended in a punt, but Carroll College was putting together the game's first scoring drive as the quarter came to an end.  The Saints began a drive at their own 21-yard line, and moved down to within the Viking two-yard line.  The Viking defense stopped three-straight Carroll plays from inside the two yard line, and forced the Saints to kick an 18-yard field.  The field goal was made, capping off a 14-play drive, and Carroll led MVC 3-0 with just under 10-minutes remaining in the first half. 

 

MVC's next two drives ended in punts, which left Carroll with one more opportunity to put points on the board.  The Saints took over at the MVC 40-yard line, and put together an 11-play drive that ended with a 23-yard field goal with only two seconds remaining in the first half.  The field goal moved Carroll's lead to 6-0, which was the score as the teams went into their halftime break.

 

MVC was supposed to receive the opening second half kickoff, but the kick hit a Viking in the first row of blockers, and Carroll recovered the loose ball near midfield.  The Viking defense was able to limit any momentum Carroll may have had, and forced the Saints to punt, giving MVC the ball at their own 20-yard line early in the third quarter.

 

The Vikings were able to move that ball on Carroll with their opening second half drive, getting a big run from Tillman for 36 yards that put MVC at the Carroll 22-yard line.  The Vikings eventually settled for a 34-yard field goal attempt by Freshman Kicker Lucas Guilfoil (Lake Lotawana, Mo.) which was made, and MVC cut the Carroll lead to 6-3 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.

 

Carroll took their next drive into MVC territory, but a sack by Junior Defensive Lineman Ty Phillips (East St. Louis, Ill.) on a first down pass play put Carroll into a second-and-long situation.  The Saints were able to create a fourth-and-one situation, which they converted to keep the drive going.  Carroll scored one play later from 15-yards out and moved ahead of MVC 13-3 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter following Running Back Dustin Rinker's first touchdown on the day.

 

After both teams traded punts through the final minutes of the third quarter, the Vikings got a break early in the fourth quarter with a turnover.  Senior Defensive Back Phillip Fowler (San Diego, Calif.) was able to force a fumble following a Carroll pass completion, which was recovered by Senior Defensive Back Randolph Tribble (Port Lucia, Fla.) at the MVC 20-yard line.  However, the Vikings were unable to take advantage of the turnover, as Sophomore Quarterback Zack Dorton (St. Louis, Mo.) was intercepted on the next play, giving Carroll the ball inside the Viking 25-yard line.

 

Carroll wasted little time to get points off the turnover.  The Saints scored two plays later on a nine-yard rushing touchdown by Rinker, and extended their lead to 20-3 with just under 11-minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

 

On the ensuing drive for MVC, Dorton was intercepted again, on the drive's second play.  This time the interception was returned 35-yards for a touchdown, which put Carroll ahead 27-3 with 10-minutes remaining in the game.

 

The Vikings had one more scoring opportunity late in the fourth quarter.  Dorton connected on five passes on the drive, the biggest was a 22-yard play to Senior Wide Receiver Travis Thornton (Kentwood, La.), but the Vikings failed to convert a fourth down attempt at the Carroll 16-yard line to end the drive.

 

Carroll was able to run out the clock, and defeat the Vikings 27-3.

 

Leading the way for MVC on offense was Dorton who was 16 of 34 passing for 115 yards with two interceptions.  Freshman Wide Receiver Darrian Turk (Silsbee, Texas) led MVC in receiving with six receptions for 47 yards.  Tillman finished with 11-carries for 78 yards in the game.

 

Defensively the Vikings were led by Freshman Linebacker Luke Fisher (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) who had 11 total tackles and half a tackle for loss.  Senior Linebacker Danny Reyes (Hesperia, Calif.) had 10 tackles and one tackle for loss in the game.  Phillips and Senior Linebacker Andrew Huhman (Farmington, Mo.) finished with a sack each in the game.

 

On special teams, Junior Punter Jason Mayden (Carrollton, Mo.) finished with a 40.6 yards per punt average on seven punts, while Guilfoil was 1 for 1 on field goal attempts.  Senior Defensive Back Tyler Davis (St. Louis, Mo.) led MVC in returns with 57 total yards.

 

MVC finishes the 2013 season with a 9-3 record, while Carroll advances to the NAIA FCS Semifinals with a 12-1 record.

 

The Vikings finish 2013 as co-Heart of America Athletic Conference champions, winning a third-straight conference title, and NAIA FCS Quarterfinalists.