The Central Methodist football team could not overcome a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, as the Eagles fell to  Culver-Stockton College by a final of 44-36 Saturday afternoon in Canton, Missouri. 

With the loss, Central stands at 3-2 overall while the Wildcats improve to 4-1.

After a Culver-Stockton field goal gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead in the first quarter, Central responded on the following possession with an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. The drive concluded as sophomore quarterback Paxton DeLaurent found senior wide receiver Katavious Taylor for a 37-yard touchdown reception, putting CMU in front 7-3.

Another Wildcat field goal trimmed Central’s lead to 7-6 early in the second quarter, before DeLaurent recorded his second touchdown pass, this time to senior running back Armand Keely. 

The Wildcats would grab the lead again in the second quarter after scoring nine unanswered points, before taking a 16-14 lead into the locker room at halftime. 

The Eagles’ defense opened the third quarter with a three-and-out and the offense took advantage. DeLaurent recorded his third touchdown pass on a 31-yard strike to Taylor. 

Both sides exchanged scoring drives on the following two possessions, with DeLaurent hitting Taylor on a 9-yard pass to give CMU a 28-23 lead at the 3:16 mark of the third quarter. That play capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive. The Wildcats then scored sixteen unanswered points, taking a 44-28 lead at the 7:13 mark of the fourth quarter.

CMU was not dead yet. The Eagles would drive 72 yards on 13 plays in just over three minutes. Central would score on DeLaurent’s fifth touchdown pass of the day, this one a five-yarder to senior receiver Trayvon Hards with 4:05 left on the clock. CMU converted on the two-point conversion, trimming the lead to 44-36. 

Culver-Stockton’s offense, however, was able to pick up four first downs to run out the clock and earn the eight-point victory.

DeLaurent recorded a new career-high five touchdown passes on 18 completions for 263 passing yards. The sophomore also led the team in rushing with 84 yards on eight carries. 

Taylor hauled in a season-high seven receptions for 155 yards and three touchdowns, including a long of 54. 

Senior quarterback Jalen Brown completed three passes in four attempts for 43 yards.

Senior running back Manuel Langlois garnered 35 yards on 12 attempts while Brown rushed for 13 yards on three attempts.

Keely rushed twice for four yards.

Trayvon Hards had four receptions for 59 yards and a score, while senior Kooper Wilson had three for 43 yards. 

Keely garnered 25 yards and a touchdown with his three catches and junior Koale Schroeder caught two passes for 21 yards.

Senior Kristopher Williams contributed one catch for 11 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Khari Henley led the defense with 10 tackles including four solo, and an interception. Seniors Will Miles and London Chambers each collected nine tackles, including two sacks by Miles and four-and-half for loss.

Senior Erik Mays recorded eight tackles on the day while classmate Anthony Hernandez grabbed eight.

Junior Joseph Slattery had six tackles to go along with senior Darian Bell’s four. Senior Brandon Molinariu, junior Le’Marcus Washington, and freshman Tichaed McKinnies each recorded three on the day. Senior Davon Stockard had two.

Seniors Michael Mexicano, Robert Palacios and, Trevor Ganaway each pulled down a Culver runner as did sophomore Christian Brice.

With five games under their belts, Coach David Calloway’s Eagles stand at 3-2 overall with six games remaining in the regular season. CMU is 2-0 at home and 1-2 on the road.

In the five games they are averaging 29.6 points per game while giving up 24.2. 

CMU averages 320.8 yards per game with more than half of those yards coming through the air with 208.8. Central is averaging 112 yards per game on the ground.

The defense is allowing 314.2 yards per game with 177.8 passing and 136.4 on the ground.

DeLaurent has thrown for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns while Armand Keely has run for 178 yards. Langlois leads the team in rushing touchdowns with three.

Katavious Taylor has 19 receptions on the year for 416 yards and seven touchdowns. His 416 yards also lead the team in all-purpose yards.

London Chambers holds the team lead in total tackles (the sum of solo tackles and assists) with 35, while Will Miles has four sacks. 

Brandon Molinari has two interceptions.

Central returns home to host William Penn Saturday, October 2 at 2 p.m. at Davis Field.