Incredible Comeback for Statesmen

William Penn University Athletics

William Penn University Athletics

by Wade Steinlage

Olathe, Kan.–A fumble returned for a touchdown and a blocked field goal will be the most memorable plays from Saturday, but so many others marked the way to the William Penn football team’s 36-35 come-from-behind win over MidAmerica Nazarene in a Heart of America Athletic Conference North-South Crossover game.

In what has become, in just four short years, quite the wild rivalry, the 2018 installment may have eclipsed them all. The Statesmen (2-2) claimed a triple-overtime thriller in 2015’s inaugural contest, and then the following fall, MNU (2-2) rallied from 11 down with three minutes left, including blocking a field goal in WPU’s final drive.

The navy and gold got their payback for that loss, albeit just over 24 months later, rallying from 19 points down midway through the third quarter.

William Penn was a runaway train in last Saturday’s 42-0 win over Missouri Valley, but sputtered out of the gate in front of a ‘national’ audience on ESPN3. The Statesmen entered having never won in four previous ESPN3 contests and after falling behind 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, another setback was looming.

The first three drives of the game saw the Pioneers collect 160 yards and two touchdowns, while the visitors also gobbled up yardage, but were stopped after 13 plays and 54 yards. The offensive crew would not be denied on its next possession, however, going 71 yards on eight plays, ending with a five-yard scoring run by Ben Sherman (Fr., Troy, Pa., Elementary Education). The extra point unfortunately failed to split the uprights; WPU spent the rest of the day chasing that point.

MNU tacked on another TD before intermission for a 21-6 edge midway through the matchup. William Penn had its chances, but was twice unable to deliver in the opposing territory. The eventual victors were just 1-for-6 on third down and 1-for-4 on fourth down in the opening half.

A 38-yard field goal by Hunter Behm (Jr., West Haven, Utah, Mechanical Engineering) closed the gap to 21-9 to start the latter half, but MidAmerica Nazarene had an answer to extend its advantage to 28-9.

Then suddenly out of nowhere, things started to click for the Statesmen. Colin Lentz (Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa, History/Government) finished off a 69-yard drive with a 32-yard rushing TD, the defense forced a three-and-out, and Amos Johnson (Sr., Rock Island, Ill., Sports Administration), plunged across the goal line from a yard out and William Penn looked down the barrel of a 28-23 score with nearly 21 minutes still left in regulation.

Lentz managed 73 yards on only four runs, while Johnson had 81 on 19 carries.

The excitement quickly subsided with an MNU touchdown as WPU entered the fourth trailing 35-23. The navy and gold then stalled out, giving the Pioneers to put the proverbial nail in the coffin. Fortunately, the defense made a stand and gave the ball back to Tyler Wood (Jr., Newton, Iowa, Education) and the offense. The only problem, or it seemed to be a problem at the time, was that Wood left the game with an injury two plays later. Alex Crehan (Jr., Troy, Ill., Business Management) came on in relief and picked up one yard on third down, but then busted free on fourth down, darting past the Pioneer defenders for a 59-yard touchdown scamper.

Another stop was required, though, and William Penn had it, but a costly penalty on a punt gave MNU new life in Statesmen territory. One more first down may have iced it for the hosts, but Jonathan Thomas (Sr., Americus, Ga., Undecided), a former quarterback who converted to the defense, made what seemed like the play of the day. He broke into the MidAmerica Nazarene backfield and in the process of tackling the quarterback, he ripped the pigskin away and then was off to the races, giving William Penn a 36-35 lead on a 67-yard fumble-recovery touchdown.

The two-point try failed, leaving the Pioneers a window for victory by hitting a field goal. Dead to rights twice, MNU somehow converted on a pair of fourth-and-15 plays to stay alive, eventually setting up a 33-yard field goal with just 28 ticks left on the clock.

The snap and hold were good, but the athleticism of Resean Coleman (Jr., River Rouge, Mich., Exercise Science) was the X-factor and he jumped up and somehow got a piece of the ball and the ball fluttered to the turf well short of its intended target.

William Penn claimed the win despite having absolutely no luck in the passing game. All 451 yards that the Statesmen earned were on the ground; it is the highest rushing total since having 496 against Culver-Stockton two years ago. The defense was certainly porous at times, allowing 463 yards to the Pioneers.

Jordan Nunnery (So., Oxnard, Calif., Sports Management) never found paydirt, but he did lead the way in rushing with 100 yards on only six carries. Sherman and Crehan both added 60 yards, while Grant Smallwood (Sr., Wichita, Kan., Exercise Science) had 56 more.

Mason Wisse (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Physical Education) recorded 10 tackles and one-and-a-half sacks as the defensive leader, while Jalan Cooper (Jr., Houston, Texas) matched him in sacks. Coleman also sacked the quarterback; Trevon Jones (Jr., Houston, Texas, Physical Education) and Dan Mindermann (Jr., Indianola, Iowa, Exercise Science) combined for one as well.

“What an exciting way to win a game!” Head Coach Todd Hafner said. “Our guys played so hard and at no point did they ever think they were out of it. (Former) Coach Aaron Hafner talked to the team Friday night about being a great teammate and being tough and today our players did just that. We will enjoy this win tonight and then get back to work. It is so fun to be part of this team right now!”

Next Up: William Penn travels to Fayette, Mo. next Saturday to face Central Methodist in a Heart North-South Crossover game at 6 p.m.

Posted by on Sep 16 2018. Filed under College Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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