SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Evangel football team aims to continue its hot play heading to MidAmerica Nazarene Saturday in Heart South Division action.

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday will mark the 30^th all-time meeting between Evangel and MidAmerica Nazarene. The Crusaders will be looking to snap a 14-game losing streak to the Pioneers as MNU holds an 18-10-1 lead in the series. The last win for Evangel came in 2002 when the Crusaders held off MNU 41-33.

OPENING STORYLINES 

► Evangel returns to the road Saturday at MidAmerica Nazarene for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Crusaders will be looking to spoil their second straight Homecoming after last week's win at Central Methodist. This Saturday's game will also take place on the MNU campus at Pioneer Field as part of Homecoming festivities for the Pioneers.

► Saturday will be the 30th all-time meeting between Evangel and MidAmerica Nazarene. The Pioneers lead the series 18-10-1 as Evangel will be looking to snap a 14-game winning streak by MNU. The last win for the Crusaders against MNU came during the 2002 season when the Crusaders won 41-33 in Springfield.

► The Evangel defense has helped lead the way again in 2017 ranking fourth in scoring defense and fifth in total defense in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Crusaders are holding opponents to 23.9 points per game which ranks fourth as the top three teams are all in the North Division.

► Defensively, Evangel has been able to get to the quarterback ranking 10th in NAIA in total sacks with 20. Josh Evans (Pleasant Hope, Mo.) leads the Crusaders with seven sacks and ranks sixth in the nation.

► Freshman quarterback, Zeke Kuyawa made his first collegiate start Saturday at Central Methodist with a solid start. The Texas native was efficient completing 10-of-12 for 132 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

► Junior defensive end, Josh Evans is averaging 1.0 sacks per game this season ranking third in the Heart. He continues to climb the Evangel record books too, after setting the all-time school record for tackles for a loss and single-season record with 21, Evans has 11.0 TFL through five games this season. He also has 7.0 sacks moving his career total to 26 sacks which rank fourth all-time.

All-Time Sack Leaders

1. Jay Hellwig, 1991-94              45.5

2. Lamont Wynn, 1998-01          30

3. Harvey Berrien, 1994-97         27

4. Josh Evans, 2014-present      26 

► Junior wide receiver Dallas Hester (Strafford, Mo.) caught his third touchdown pass of the season in Saturday's win. The score moved Hester into ninth all-time in the Evangel record books for receiving touchdowns. He is five behind eighth Edward Sands (16) as James Feazell (1986-88, 92) holds the record with 29.

LOOKING AHEAD

Evangel will return home to host Missouri Valley at Tiger Stadium in Ozark. After a seemingly heavy road schedule, the Crusaders play two of their final three games at home to end the regular season.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelAthletics or go to www.EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Go Evangel Front Row App at EvangelAthletics.com/FrontRow available on Google Play and in the App Store.

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