Box Score

The William Jewell College football team fell to Division I AA Valparaiso 39-30 on Saturday afternoon at Greene Stadium in Liberty, Mo. 

The Cardinals (1-2, 1-0 GLVC) started out the game with a bang as they marched the opening kickoff 90 yards in 10 plays.  Fullback Glen Whitney punched in a two-yard run to give Jewell an early 7-0 lead. 

The Cards then surprised The Crusaders (1-2) with an onside kick that was recovered by kicker Brandon Womack and Jewell then drove 52 yards in seven plays as Whitney again punched it in from short yardage.  The extra point was blocked and Jewell jumped out to a 13-0 lead. 

Valparaiso answered back with a 71 yard drive in only 2:45 to cut Jewell's lead to 13-7.

In the second quarter, Womack nailed a 25 yard field goal and eight minutes later quarterback DJ Balazs found the end zone from one-yard away which appeared to give the Cards control.

The score was 22-7 in favor of Jewell at halftime, but the dam burst when the teams returned from the locker rooms.

Valpo would score 18 unanswered points in the third quarter aided by two Cardinal turnovers and a failed fourth down attempt.

The Crusaders first drive of the second half went for 59 yards in 14 plays as kicker Jacob Newman nailed home a 33 yard field goal. 

One play after the kickoff DJ Balazs was picked off by Roberto Kelly of Valpo who returned it 30 yards for the pick six to cut Jewell's margin to 22-17. 

The Cards turned the ball over again one play after the kickoff when Balazs fumbled the snap and Valpo recovered deep in Cardinal territory.  Five plays later the Crusaders took their first lead of the game when quarterback Ben Lehman found Kent Warren for a two-yard touchdown pass and Lehman found Warren again on the two-point conversion to put Valpo up 25-22.

On Jewell's next possession, the Cards drove close to mid-field before being stopped on a crucial fourth and one play that gave the ball back to Valparaiso. 

As the fourth quarter began,the Crusaders faced fourth and goal from the one yard line.  Brandon Hall was able to fight through the Cardinal defense for a one-yard score to give Valpo a 32-22 lead.

After two stalled drives by both teams the turnover bug hurt the Cardinals once again.  Thomas Cook, Jr., lost the ball on a run and it was recovered by Valpo who then drove 60 yards in 2:50 to increase their lead to 39-22. 

The Cardinals added another touchdown in the fourth quarter a 13 yard pass from Nick West to Nate Egharevba but by that time the outcome was sealed. 

Balazs was 15-23 for 166 yards and one interception.  He was replaced in the third quarter by Nick West who went 10-20 for 151 yards and one touchdown.  Cook Jr., rushed for 99 yards on 20 carries and Egharevba led Jewell in receiving with 111 yards on 8 catches.

Jimmy DeStefano led the Cardinal defense with 11 tackles and one sack while Connor Flagel finished with seven.  Nick Messer had six tackles and an interception for the Cardinal defense. 

Grayson Bastin led the Crusaders in rushing with 96 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. 

William Jewell will host South Dakota School of mines for homecoming on Saturday, September 27.  Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Greene Stadium.