The Central Methodist University Football team wrapped up the 2020 season Saturday with Senior Day. Those 24 young men will always remember their special day as the day they and their teammates soundly defeated the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene 45-2. 

CMU’s defense allowed only 47 yards passing on the day while senior Will Miles harassed  MidAmerica’s quarterback Blake Atkins sacking him twice. Meanwhile, Miles’ defensive cohorts  snagged 3 interceptions.

It was not until late in the fourth quarter that the Pioneers were able to put points on the scoreboard and then it was due to an errant snap sailing over the head of punter Samuel Petrin and out of the back of the end zone for a safety causing the Eagles to lose their shutout. Oddly enough, that safety was the third on the day for both teams as earlier in the game CMU’s Colton Skyles tackled the MidAmerica Quarterback in the Pioneer end zone and a Pioneer had also been flagged for holding in the end zone resulting in 2 points for the Eagles.  

Offensively, CMU seemed to move the ball with ease, averaging 4.6 yards per play, garnering 353 total offense on the day. Freshman quarterback Paxton Delaurent of Camdenton passed for 243 yards and three touchdowns onthe day while Shawn Simmons a senior RB out of Kansas City rushed for 47 yards. Three different CMU receivers caught four passes from Delaurent with Cooper Wilson gaining 25 yards, Carelle Hill earning 50 and a touchdown and Katavious Taylor, a senior from Memphis, TN, having the longest reception of 36 yards with two touchdowns.

After being named Heart of America Athletic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week last week, Junior Samuel Petrin did not disappoint this week, kicking five extra points and two field goals, the longest from 41 yards.

After the game, despite being wet and cold from the Gatorade cooler soaking administered by his team, CMU Coach David Calloway spoke about being proud of his guys. “This senior group believed in us and we finally got here with a winning season, so that’s always good.” CMU finishes the season at 5-4. Looking toward next season, Calloway stated “Right now, we’re losing seven senior starters, but we’ll see, based on giving a year back of eligibility,” after the NAIA makes the determination of whether to allow for another year of eligibility due to the Covid-19 crisis.