OZARK, Mo. – A complete team effort on offense, defense and special teams helped the Evangel University football seal a 59-13 win over Culver-Stockton Saturday afternoon.
The win was the first of the season for the Crusaders who scored early and often in Saturday’s blowout. Evangel eclipsed 470 yards of total offense while also blocking a punt and a field goal.
GAME PHOTOS: EVANGEL VS. CULVER-STOCKTON
Offensively the Crusaders scored three times through the air as Blake Woodard was an efficient 15-of-18 for 181 and three touchdowns through the air and one rushing. Dallas Hester caught the first touchdown pass in the second quarter while Brady Collier caught a 1-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left before halftime putting Evangel on top 24-0.
Special Teams played a huge role on Saturday as a blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown midway through the third quarter, but called back after an Evangel penalty. However, the Crusaders managed to drive 54 yards in seven plays to push their lead to 38-0 with 4:39 left in the third quarter.
Jon Hukill returned his second blocked kick for a score in as many weeks with 3:36 left in the third quarter after ZaKorey Barr blocked a Culver-Stockton punt.
The Wildcats would get on the board after a seven play 55-yard drive in the fourth quarter was capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass. Culver-Stockton was led by Matt Gunterman who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.
Defensively, Evangel held the Wildcats to 222 yards of total offense and posted a shutout through three quarters. Josh Evans led the Crusaders with nine tackles, two sacks and three tackles for a loss.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Three different Crusaders caught a touchdown pass with Brady Collier, Dallas Hester and Jeffrey Griffin all catching scores from Blake Woodard.
– Three different Crusaders scored rushing touchdowns in the win as Blake Woodard, Fabian Cuveilje and Cade Wilke all found the endzone.
– The Crusaders won the turnover battle for the first time this season blocking two kicks and recovering one fumble.
– Josh Evans recorded two sacks against Culver-Stock and leads the Crusaders with 3.0 sacks on the season.
– Evangel recorded a season-high 5.5 sacks in the win. Justin Day and Patrick Taulamago each recorded one sack as Matt Looney, Brady Dawson, and Telacey Wilder each recorded 0.5 sack.
-The Evangel defense shutout its opponent for four straight quarters going back to last Saturday's game against Grand View.
UP NEXT
Evangel heads north next weekend to William Penn for a Heart Crossover Battle. Kickoff from Oskaloosa, Iowa is scheduled for noon.
