Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – (RV) Midland University hosted Briar Cliff University in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) football action Saturday afternoon at Heedum Field. Midland recorded its second shutout of the season with a 49-0 victory. Highlighting the scoring effort were two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Briar Cliff received the opening kickoff, and Jayden Westbrook returned it 15 yards to the Chargers’ 17-yard line. BCU quarterback Brock Saya completed a pass on the first play of the drive to Ivan Funderburk for 15 yards and a first down at the 32. However, Midland’s defense stood strong and forced a punt three plays later as the Warriors took over at their own 35-yard line.
Three plays into the Midland drive, it appeared the Warriors would be forced to punt after a third-down sack, but a Briar Cliff penalty extended the possession. Three plays later, Tae Marks caught a pass from Brodey Johnson for a 39-yard touchdown. Payden Alexander‘s extra point put Midland ahead 7-0 with 10:08 left in the first quarter.
On Briar Cliff’s next drive, on third down, Saya’s pass was intercepted by Brandon Lanceand returned 35 yards for a touchdown. Alexander’s point-after kick extended the lead to 14-0 with 8:38 left in the opening quarter.
Midland kicked off, and BCU’s Kymani Fleurme attempted to return it out of the end zone but was tackled at the 15-yard line. Facing third-and-2, the Chargers picked up a first down on a 13-yard pass to Westbrook at the 48. However, the Warriors’ defense responded again and forced a punt three plays later, downing the ball at the Midland 19.
Midland began the drive with a 20-yard pass from Johnson to TJ Covington. Two plays later, Johnson connected with Kevin Adams Jr. for 23 yards to the Briar Cliff 37. Three plays later, Tyson Denkert ran for 11 yards to the 15 to end the first quarter.
Three plays into the second quarter, Johnson threw into the end zone and was intercepted by Max Rascon Jr., resulting in a touchback.
BCU found success on the first play of its drive as Chase Thomas ran for 12 yards to the 32. Five plays later, facing third-and-11, Saya completed a 27-yard pass to Westbrook, but an illegal formation penalty nullified the play. Two plays after that, BCU punted and Midland took over at its own 15.
The Warriors struggled to move the ball. On the fifth play, Johnson was sacked for a 10-yard loss to the 37. Two plays later, Midland punted into the wind for just 18 yards, giving BCU the ball at its own 45.
Midland’s defense responded with a three-and-out. After the punt, the Warriors took over at their own 17.
Facing third-and-13, Johnson completed a 26-yard pass to Tim Brown for a first down at the 40. Four plays later, on third-and-1, Johnson connected with Brown again for 35 yards to the BCU 10. A penalty backed Midland up, but two plays later, Johnson hit Adams Jr. for a 12-yard gain to the 14. On the next play, Johnson threw a 14-yard touchdown to Covington. Alexander’s extra point made it 21-0 with 11 seconds left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced inside the 15, and Midland recovered with nine seconds remaining. Alexander attempted a 34-yard field goal two plays later, but it hooked wide right as time expired.
Midland received the ball to begin the third quarter. Brown returned the kickoff 11 yards to the Midland 36. The Warriors were forced to punt after four plays, and the ball went into the end zone for a touchback.
The Midland defense held Briar Cliff to a five-play drive. After the punt, the Warriors took over at their own 48.
On the second play, Denkert ran for 29 yards to the Chargers’ 15. Six plays later, Denkert scored on a one-yard run. Alexander’s extra point pushed the lead to 28-0 with 8:05 left in the third.
Two plays into BCU’s next drive, Saya’s pass was tipped by Carter Wagner and intercepted by Carter Lightwine, who returned it 34 yards for a touchdown. Alexander’s PAT made it 35-0 with 7:12 left in the third.
After the kickoff, Fleurme returned the ball 12 yards to the BCU 12. Midland’s defense pushed the Chargers backward again. On third-and-7, Dom Rohleder sacked Saya for a 10-yard loss to the 5. Two plays later, Jacob Meyers punted just seven yards into the wind, and the Warriors took over at the BCU 10.
Four plays later, Johnson threw a two-yard touchdown to Brown. Alexander’s PAT extended the lead to 42-0 with 3:04 left in the third.
Early in the fourth, facing third-and-1, Denkert ran for 17 yards to the 23. Four plays later, Midland turned the ball over on downs at the 20.
On BCU’s next drive, the Chargers were forced to punt after five plays, and Midland took over at its own 17.
On the third play, Johnson hit Covington over the middle. Covington outran defenders for a 76-yard score. Alexander’s PAT made it 49-0 with 9:14 remaining.
Fleurme returned the kickoff 11 yards to the 31. On the first play, Saya was intercepted by Jaylon Morgan at the Midland 42.
Midland began substituting and drove into BCU territory. On third down, Zach Congaltoncompleted a 23-yard pass to Isaiah Weber to the 38. Four plays later, the Warriors turned the ball over on downs at the 31.
Briar Cliff converted one third down on its final drive but eventually turned the ball over on downs. Midland took over at its own 28, and Congalton kneeled out the clock.
Midland rushed 33 times for 97 yards and completed 21 of 35 passes for 311 yards, totaling 408 yards of offense. Briar Cliff ran 28 times for 63 yards and completed 12 of 24 passes for 81 yards, finishing with 144 total yards.
Individually, Johnson completed 19 of 33 passes for 286 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Denkert rushed 16 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Covington caught three passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Brown had three receptions for 63 yards and a score. Marks had two receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Jay Ballard had six tackles. Lance had four tackles and an interception. Lightwine had three tackles and an interception, and Morgan also recorded a pick.
Saya completed 12 of 24 passes for 83 yards with three interceptions. Thomas led BCU with 52 rushing yards. Westbrook had four receptions for 19 yards. On defense, Kyle Gibson had nine tackles. Rascon Jr. had eight tackles and an interception.
Midland head coach Jeff Jamrog said, “Our defense played well, plus scored twice. It’s great to see those guys get rewarded for their efforts. I thought it was a complete win in all three phases. We came in saying we need to be humble, hungry, and consistent, and I thought we did that.”
Lance, who had a pick-six, commented on next week’s matchup with Dordt. “It’s going to take all of us. All eleven on the field will have to work together, and I look forward to us taking on that challenge.”
Midland will travel to Sioux Center, Iowa, next Saturday to face No. 10 Dordt University (6-0). Kickoff at Open Space Field is set for 1 p.m. Briar Cliff will host Doane.
The next Midland home game is Saturday, Nov. 1, when the Warriors host Northwestern College. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Heedum Field in Fremont.
