Nixa, Mo. — The No. 8-ranked Friends University Falcons top-ranked rushing offense put three players over 100 yards on the ground in tonight's (Sept. 26) 59-24 thumping of the No. 24-ranked Evangel University Valor in Nixa, Mo.
The Falcons tallied 444 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the night while producing runs of 67, 65 and 58 yards. The Falcons also finished all six red-zone trips with points, including three passing touchdowns and two rushing scores, and added five sacks on defense.
Following a targeting penalty in the first quarter, the Falcon defense stiffened and got a big sack by
Blake Allen and then a fumble recovery by
Chris Scott at the Evangel 10 that turned into the first quarter's only score, with
Nick Cordova scoring on a 10-yard rush and
Connor Tillman adding the PAT.
The Falcons did most of their second-quarter damage on big plays, getting a 65-yard touchdown run from
Walker Overman and then a 58-yard touchdown gallop from
Joey Millspaugh.
Cooper Skrobecki's interception return set up
E'derian Sykes' 12-yard touchdown with 7:05 left in the second quarter before Tillman added a 20-yard field goal with 33 seconds left that appeared to give the Falcons a 31-10 lead at the break. But Friends wasn't done as
Amare Johnson blocked a field goal attempt that
Mikah Rocco picked up and ran back 58 yards as the half ended to extend the lead to 38-10.
The Falcons added two Overman touchdown passes in the third quarter, first moving 50 yards in three plays that culminated with a
Samuel Becker 17-yard score with 9:30 left. After a nine-yard score by Kyle Cummings capped a 79-yard scoring drive by Evangel, the Falcons answered right back with a 68-yard march that included Overman's 38-yard completion to
Kade Clifton and ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Clifton. Tillman made both extra points, and the Falcons finished the quarter with a 52-17 lead.
The Falcons put together their fourth-quarter scoring drive from their own 15, moving 85 yards in nine plays that ended with
DJ Dingle hitting Becker for another 17-yard touchdown on fourth-and-1 with 4:55 left. Evangel scored on the next possession, but the Falcons got a late sack from
Caden King and
Jarrett-Wayne Moore on the Valor's final drive.
Millspaugh led the Falcons with 107 rushing yards, with Sykes (105 yards) and Overman (101 yards) also reaching the century mark on the ground. Overman also completed 3 of 4 passes for 58 yards and two touchdowns. Becker caught two passes for 34 yards, with both receptions going for touchdowns.
Brady Allen caught seven passes for 93 yards and a touchdown for the Valor. Noah Bryant rushed 13 times for 75 yards, while Matt Allen completed 8 of 21 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Cam Doty led the Falcon defense with seven tackles and produced one sack. Skrobecki,
Wetu Kalomo,
Ian Rivera and
Caden King each had five tackles, while Allen and
Cale Milleson also recorded a sack.
Draven VanGilder recorded seven tackles and forced a fumble to lead the Valor defensively.
The 5-0 Falcons will next return home for Homecoming and host Ottawa University next Saturday (Oct. 3). Kickoff will be at 1 pm at Adair-Austin Stadium.
