Welcome to our new web site!

To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

Central lights up the scoreboard against heart rival Graceland

Kevin Oeth, Sports Editor
Posted 9/22/21

The Central Methodist University football team posted a 44-0 shut out of Graceland University Saturday afternoon at Davis Field before a sold-out crowd.  

With the victory, Central improves …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Central lights up the scoreboard against heart rival Graceland

Posted

The Central Methodist University football team posted a 44-0 shut out of Graceland University Saturday afternoon at Davis Field before a sold-out crowd. 

With the victory, Central improves to 3-1 overall while the Yellowjackets drop to 0-4. It is the first time the Eagles have opened the season at 3-1 since the 2013 campaign. 

CMU started the game with 28 first-quarter points, scoring four straight touchdowns on each of their opening four possessions. Sophomore quarterback Paxton DeLaurent started the scoring with a 37-yard scramble into the end zone just two and a half minutes into the game. On the ensuing possession, the Eagles drove 70 yards on seven plays in just two minutes, capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass from DeLaurent to senior Katavious Taylor. 

Senior running back Manny Langlois scored his second touchdown of the season at the 5:53 mark, pushing CMU’s lead to 21-0. The final scoring play of the first quarter came on a 34-yard touchdown reception from senior Jalen Brown to classmate Donald Clark, a drive that only took three plays and 1:41. 

In the second quarter, the Central defense joined in on the scoring. After a 37-yard punt by senior Samuel Petrin pinned Graceland inside their own one, junior Mujahid Camel sacked the Yellowjacket quarterback in the endzone for a safety on third down. 

CMU would enter the halftime break with a 30-0 lead. After a three-and-out on their opening possession of the third, Central's offense would rebound on the next possession. On the first play of the drive, Brown found Taylor once again for a 45-yard touchdown pass, pushing the lead to 37-0. 

Langlois concluded the scoring for the Eagles in the fourth quarter, recording his second rushing touchdown of the day from six yards out, making the final score 44-0 in favor of CMU. 

The Eagles’ backfield concluded the afternoon with 190 yards rushing on 38 carries, good enough for five yards per rush. Langlois led the running backs with 54 yards on seven carries including a long of 22. DeLaurent finished the day with six rushes for 45 yards including a rushing touchdown in the first. He also completed nine-of-13 passes including one touchdown.

Senior running back Armand Keely ran for 43 yards on eight carries. Taylor once again led the receiving core with four receptions for 87 yards including two touchdown catches.

Senior punter Samuel Petrin was perfect on special teams, converting on all six of his extra points, all while recording seven kickoffs for 426 yards including two touchbacks. He also recorded three punts for 124 total yards, averaging 41.3 yards/punt. 

The defensive unit was outstanding from start to finish, holding the Yellowjackets to just 156 total yards on offense. The secondary was also stellar, holding the Graceland wideouts without a reception the entire afternoon.

Junior Le’Marcus Washington led the defense with eight total tackles including a sack and a forced fumble. Senior London Chambers finished the afternoon with seven tackles including a half-sack, and Camel picked up two sacks for a loss of 16 yards including the safety in the second.

Senior Micheal Mexicano recorded his first career interception, and both sophomore Kyjuan Collins and senior Brandon Molinari picked up forced fumbles. Collins returned the fumble he recovered 49-yards taking CMU deep into Graceland territory. Senior Davion Stockard collected a blocked punt late in the fourth to ice the game. 

CMU heads back out on the road for a matchup against Culver-Stockton College on Saturday. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. in Canton. 

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here