VIKING FOOTBALL DEFEATS CENTRAL METHODIST SATURDAY AFTERNOON

VIKING FOOTBALL DEFEATS CENTRAL METHODIST SATURDAY AFTERNOON

 

 

Marshall, Mo. (October 5, 2013)- The No. 8 Missouri Valley College football team hosted Central Methodist University Saturday afternoon at Gregg-Mitchell Field in a matchup of teams tied for first in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.  An early lead and big third quarter helped the Vikings pull away from the Eagles 48-17.

 

The first points of the game for MVC came on the second possession of the game.  The Vikings took over near midfield, but faced a third-down play early in the drive.  The Vikings picked up 16 yards to convert on third down when Junior Quarterback Bruce Reyes (Beaumont, Texas) hooked up with Sopohomore Running Back Del'Von Franklin (Hawk Point, Mo.).  Later in the drive at the CMU 13 yard line Reyes scored the game's opening point when he scrambled for the 13-yard score.  The extra point was converted by Junior Kicker Daniel Mouro (Hilmar, Calif.) and the Vikings led 7-0 with just under seven minutes left in the first quarter.

 

Later in the quarter with CMU deep in its own end of the field, the Viking defense came up with a big play.  Senior Linebacker Andrew Huhman (Farmington, Mo.) came up with an interception at the Eagle 20-yard line.  Three plays later Freshman Running Back Malachi Daniels (Branson, Mo.) scored from five yards out and MVC extended its lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter.

 

The second quarter was a struggle for both teams to find any offensive rhythm.  MVC's Sophomore Defensive Back Darren Davis (Kansas City, Mo.) had an interception early in the quarter to stall a CMU drive, the next Viking points came after a CMU punt.  Halfway through the quarter, following a CMU punt, the Vikings took over at their own 17-yard line.  The first two plays covered 42 yards thanks to Reyes completions to Freshman Wide Receiver Darrian Turk (Silsbee, Texas) and Franklin.  The Vikings eventually drove to the Eagle one-yard line and Daniels scored his second touchdown of the game giving MVC a 20-0 lead after a missed two-point conversion. 

 

Central Methodist answered on its next drive, as the Eagles took the remaining time in the half to drive to the MVC 19-yard line and hit a 35 yard field goal with only one second remaining in the half, as MVC went into the break with a 20-3 lead.

 

The third quarter started off slowly for both teams until CMU came up with an interception deep inside Viking territory.  After picking off a Reyes pass at the MVC 38-yard line and getting a 15-yard pass interference penalty, CMU started the drive at the MVC 23-yard line.  Three plays into the drive the Eagles cut the MVC lead to 20-10 with just under nine minutes remaining in the quarter.

 

The Vikings responded by scoring four touchdowns in the third quarter.  The first on a 13-yard Reyes to Senior Wide Receiver Alex Benson (Rochester, Minn.) touchdown pass to extend the Viking lead to 27-10.  Then a CMU fumble caused by Junior Linebacker Larry "Toa" Hogan (San Bernardino, Calif.) and recovered by Huhman set up MVC's second touchdown of the quarter when Junior Running Back James Tillman (Kansas City, Mo.) scored from six yards out to give MVC a 34-10 lead.  On the very next CMU play Huhman came up with his second interception, setting up a Reyes to Senior Tight End Zach Thomas (Sweet Springs, Mo.) 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Vikings a 41-10 lead.  The Viking defense forced another Eagle three-and-out and MVC scored its final touchdown of the game when Reyes hit Sophomore Wide Receiver Mikquel Johnson (St. Louis, Mo.) for a 33-yard score extending the lead to 48-10 with seconds remaining in the quarter.

 

The Vikings drove deep into CMU territory once more in the game, but Reyes had a pass interception at the Eagle 20-yard line to end the final promising drive for the Vikings.  Central Methodist converted that turnover into a touchdown driving 75 yards in 10 plays to make it a 48-17 Viking lead with just under seven minutes remaining the fourth quarter.

 

The final Viking drive stalled out at midfield and the Eagles ran out the clock as the Vikings came away with a 48-17 victory to remain in first place in the HAAC standings.

 

Leading the way for MVC was Reyes who went 21 of 30 passing for 297 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.  Reyes also had a rushing touchdown and 14 yards on the ground.  Daniels led MVC in rushing with 57 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.  Franklin had 79 yards receiving on four receptions while Davis had two receptions for 58 yards.  The Vikings had 451 yards of total offense, 154 rushing yards and 297 passing yards

 

Defensively the Vikings were led by Junior Defensive Lineman Ty Phillips (East St. Louis, Mo.) who had seven total tackles including 4.5 tackles for a loss of 23 yards.  Nate Desemore and Rahfee McClee each had six tackles.  Taylor Moore and Ryan Savka each had a sack, and Huhman had two interceptions while Darren Davis had one.  The Viking defense gave up 298 total yards, 130 on the ground and 168 through the air.

 

On special teams Junior Punter Jason Mayden (Carrollton, Mo.) had an average of 42.5 yards per punt on six punts, with three being downed inside the 20-yard line and a long of 55 yards.  Mouro converted all six of his extra point attempts and had four touchbacks on kickoffs.  Darren Davis had 109 total yards in the game thanks to 51 yards in the return game.

 

The win improves MVC to 3-1 on the season and 3-0 in HAAC play while Central Methodist drops to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the HAAC.

 

Next week the Vikings travel to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Oct. 12

 

The Vikings will return home for a matchup with Central Methodist University next week.  Kickoff for the game will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 5 at Gregg-Mitchell Field.

 

About Missouri Valley College

Known for its dynamic, richly diverse, and friendly educational environment, Missouri Valley College offers many opportunities to grow in mind, body, and spirit. Grounded in the liberal arts, undergraduate studies empower students to master interdisciplinary skills needed to succeed in a knowledge-based global society. MVC offers over 40 academic programs, study abroad program, honors program, extracurricular activities, and 13 sports. The most popular majors include education and business, and some new majors are ag-business, nursing, graphic design, and health information systems (associate degree). Above all, Valley is committed to student success. For more information, call (660) 831-4000 or visit www.moval.edu.