OZARK, Mo. — Southwestern College pulled within 11 points early in the fourth quarter but could not overcome an early deficit, falling 31-13 to Evangel University on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The Moundbuilders forced punts on Evangel's first three possessions before the hosts scored twice late in the opening quarter. Matt Allen connected with Broc Lyle for a 13-yard touchdown with two minutes remaining. After recovering a Southwestern fumble on the ensuing possession, Evangel added a 29-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Gunner Ellison to take a 14-0 lead.
A 32-yard field goal by Cody Voysey extended the margin to 17-0 early in the second quarter. Southwestern answered with a 56-yard drive capped by Jeremiah Schaefer's 40-yard field goal with 7:47 remaining in the half. Allen later found Joshua Isaac for a 12-yard touchdown, but Schaefer converted a 33-yard field goal as time expired to send the Moundbuilders into halftime trailing 24-6.
Zamir Hall helped set up Southwestern's final points of the half, gaining 41 rushing yards on three carries during the possession. His 21-yard run moved the Moundbuilders inside Evangel's 10-yard line before Schaefer's second field goal.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, but Southwestern began its lone touchdown drive late in the period after taking over at Evangel's 31-yard line. Christian Steward opened the possession with a 22-yard run, and James Odom finished the five-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Noah Roberts on fourth-and-goal. Schaefer's extra point cut the deficit to 24-13 with 14:11 remaining.
Evangel answered with a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 6:05. Kyle Cummings scored on a 4-yard run with 8:06 left, pushing the lead to 31-13 for the game's final points.
Odom completed 13 of 32 passes for 101 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Hall led Southwestern in both rushing and receiving, finishing with 61 yards on nine carries and three catches for 35 yards. Steward added 33 rushing yards on nine attempts and three receptions for 18 yards.
Adrian Avelar paced the Southwestern defense with 10 tackles, including a sack for a 4-yard loss. Jason Wickliff followed with eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Joshua Mars recorded six tackles, including one for loss.
Southwestern finished with 221 yards of total offense, including 120 on the ground. Evangel totaled 344 yards, with the Moundbuilders limiting the hosts to 86 rushing yards on 35 attempts. Southwestern also held Evangel to three conversions on 14 third-down opportunities.
In addition to his two field goals, Schaefer averaged 41.9 yards on seven punts, including a 73-yarder, and placed three inside the 20-yard line. Thelonius Jones returned five kickoffs for 109 yards, with a long of 33.
Southwestern returns home Saturday, Sept. 19, to host Ottawa University for Millard Management Night. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
