Backup Quarterback
Mike Keese's second half and
Brady Croucher's defense was the story of Saturday's 45-6 Homecoming victory over William Jewell. In the first half, the Pioneers couldn't get anything going offensively, but the defense held firm and only allowed a Jewell field goal in the final minute. The Pioneers quickly moved down the field and
Quentin Weygaerts nailed a 46-yard field goal against the wind as time expired to tie the game. Starting QB
Tyler Herl was injured and didn't play in the second half, but Keese performed beautifully. The freshman Olathe native completed 12 of 18 passes for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns as MNU began to pull away.
With the Pioneers trailing 6-3 late in the third quarter, Keese completed 3 passes in a row to
Juan Redmon (33 yards),
Austin Conyers (12 yards), and
Jared Elmore (14 yards) to put MNU in the end zone and in the lead for the first time.
The Pioneers kept the hammer down in the fourth quarter. After grabbing good field position, MNU scored 2 plays later to take a 17-6 lead. On the ensuing Jewell drive, Croucher intercepted a pass on first down, and the Pioneers scored 5 plays later. The defense was strong again on the next drive as
Jake Duren intercepted a 3rd down pass and ran 31 yards to the end zone. After a Jewell 3-and-out and 1-yard punt, MNU gave the ball to
Ashford Johnson. The running back carried the ball 5 straight times and eventually scored a 1-yard TD.
Brady Croucher capped off an incredible day on defense with another 31-yard interception return for a touchdown, and the Pioneers won 45-6.
Keese was 12-18 for 166 yards and a touchdown. Johnson ran 19 times for 84 yards and 2 touchdowns. And
Jared Elmore caught 8 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. On defense,
Geoff White led the Pioneers with 10 tackles.
Keith Dixon was in the backfield all game and logged 3.5 tackles for loss for 8.5 yards.
Brandon Smith was right with him and tallied 2.5 tackles for loss for 11 yards and a half sack. And Croucher was all over the field with 9 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss for 33 yards, 3.5 sacks for 29 yards, 2 passes broken up, and 2 interceptions including a Pick-6.
The Pioneers move to 6-1 on the season. The next game is Saturday the 24th at Evangel (1-5) at 1:30.
