MNU Falls to Sioux Falls

Jake Duren's 20 tackles weren't enough for the Pioneers, as the number one team in the nation, Sioux Falls, defeated MNU 38-0.  QB Sean Ransburg returned for the game but the Pioneers were never able to get anything going on offense, and that led to short fields for USF to take advantage of.  MNU trailed 17-0 at halftime, but had hope getting the ball first to start the second half.  However on the first play from scrimmage MNU fumbled and gave USF 20 yards to score.  The game was all but over after that, and the Pioneers were sent home with their first loss, one game short of the national championship.  However they finished 12-1, which was the best in school history and the farthest they've ever made it.

Is this the best MNU team ever?

Riggers Leads Pioneers to National Semis

Sean Ransburg had lead the Pioneers to an 11-0 record, but due to a concussion, wasn't going to be able to contribute in their next game.  Instead, the Pioneers looked to Adam Riggers to run the offense.  And he succeeded.  The 26 year old threw for 4 touchdowns (and was named Offensive MVP), as the Pioneers won 34-10, setting up a bout against the number 1 team in the nation, Sioux Falls (SD).  Sioux Falls Head Coach Jed Stugart lead MNU to a 26-7 record from 2006-2008. 

How amazing was it to see a back-up quarterback lead his team in the playoffs?

Have you ever seen the storylines (who will play QB, former coach) in an NAIA game before?

MNU Defeats Georgetown

The Pioneers looked rusty for the first half of their game against the Georgetown College Tigers, but were able to make a comeback with about 9 minutes left in the game.  MNU trailed 21-10 at halftime, and 24-10 with 9 minutes left in the game.  Sean Ransburg led the offense all the way down the field for a score.  After the defense forces three and out, Georgetown was forced to punt and the ball went over their punters head for a safety, making the score 24-19.  After getting the ball back, Sean Ransburg took over again and scrambled his was eventually to the 1 yard line.  The Pioneers capped that drive off with 6 points and a two point conversion to take the lead 27-24.  Georgetown moved the ball in their two minute drill into field goal range. However, Dantren Anderson was not about to let the game go to overtime, and blocked the attempt to seal the Pioneers fate.

Sean Ransburg was the Offensive MVP with 319 total yards.  Jake Duren was the Defensive MVP with 17 tackles and a sack.  Had the game gone into overtime, Ransburg would not have been able to play due to a concussion.  His status for the Quarterfinals is unkown.

HAAC Champs and First Round of Playoffs

MNU won the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship outright last week by defeating #9 Missouri Valley College 37-7.  The loss knocked Missouri Valley out of playoff contention, and guaranteed the Pioneers two home playoff games should they advance that far.  The game was close at halftime with a score of 13-7, but the Pioneers pulled away in the 3rd Quarter, utterly dominating in all phases for that 15 minute span.  The starters came out early, and the Pioneers escaped the regular season unscathed.  MidAmerica had a bye week this past week, in anticipation of finding out who the would play in the NAIA Football Championship Series.  The news came in this past Sunday that they would be playing #17 Georgetown College (KY) in their first round game. Georgetown made it in as the Mid-South Conference Champion.  They boast a high powered offense, capable of giving any team problems.  It should be a good match-up for the Pioneers in the first round, as this is the best offense that they've seen since playing Lindenwood back in week 4 of the season.

Do you think MNU got a good draw for the first round?

Are you surprised that MNU isn't hosting someone that is geographically closer?

Attempting to Remove the Co- in Co-HAAC Champs

The Pioneers defeated Central Methodist 56-28 this past Saturday.  The game was never in question as the Pioneers led at half by a score of 42-7.  The second team played almost all of the second half, and the Pioneers clinched at least a share of the HAAC Football Championship.  The Pioneers have one final regular season test looming, a home game against the Missouri Valley College Vikings.  The Vikings have remained at #9 in the polls for the last few weeks, and will head into Olathe with a chance to leave no doubt of their playoff qualifications.  A loss could doom their season.  Missouri Valley boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, especially against the run.  This upcoming Saturday is Senior Day at Pioneer Stadium.  MNU will send off a class that has a combined  37-6 record so far in their four years. 

What are your predictions on the game?  Does Valley have enough firepower on offense to win?  Can the Pioneers run the ball effectively?

Playoff's Nearing

The Pioneers are 8-0 after defeating Evangel University at Homecomine, 45-10.  Jake Duren had two second-half interceptions to lead the way.

The Pioneers have two remaining games on their schedule.  They play at Central Methodist and Senior Day against #9 Missouri Valley College.

In all honestly the Pioneers should have no problem handling Central Methodist another loss.  Should that happen, MNU will have guaranteed a share of the HAAC Championship and a spot in the playoffs.  Here are the two scenarios for the playoffs, should they win or lose against MVC.

If the Pioneers WIN vs. MVC:  They will be outright sole champions of the HAAC and remain number 4 in the nation likely.  This would allow them to host two playoff games.  Based on geography, we can already get an idea of some teams that MNU could play.  The highest possiblity seems to be Ottawa University, just down the street from MNU.  Ottawa is currently ranked 10th in the nation and are second place in the KCAC.

If the Pioneers LOSE vs. MVC:  They would share the HAAC title with Missouri Valley and Lindenwood, and fall likely somewhere out of the top 8.  They would have to travel for the whole playoffs.  They would likely travel to Ottawa, or to Morningside (IA), whose only loss is to the number 1 team in the nation Sioux Falls (SD).

Who would you like to see the Pioneers play in the first round of the playoffs?

Pioneers Jump to #4 in the Nation

With a 29-7 victory over William Jewell College and a loss from #4 Morningside, MidAmerica was able to jump into the nation's top 4 in this weeks polls.  MNU was previously ranked 5th.  Being in the top 4 is essential in playoff style championships (which is what the NAIA uses).  If the Pioneers maintain this ranking, they will be able to host two playoff games should they win out, and wouldn't have to travel until the national semi-finals.  MNU only has 3 more games remaining in the regular season, and will get a bye week before the playoffs start. 

Jake Duren has three-peated as HAAC Defensive Player of the Week.

MNU V. Graceland

The Pioneers defeated the Graceland University Yellowjackets this last Saturday 54-22.  The score really didn't reflect how well the Pioneers played, as the score was 51-2 when the starters left the game early in the fourth quarter.  Jake Duren made HAAC defensive player of the week again after recording ten tackles (two for loss) and forcing, recovering, and returning a fumble for a touchdown.  Sean Ransburg had 157 yards rushing on 9 carries.

Next week, MNU will play their biggest rival historically, William Jewell.  Although there are some more competitive rivalries for the Pioneers in football (Lindenwood and Missouri Valley), William Jewell is widely considered the schools all around rivals.  William Jewell was beating the #11 Missouri Valley at halftime last week before finally falling in the second half.  This game is WJC, and should be a great challenge for the Pioneers.

Which teams in the HAAC do fans consider big rivals for the Pioneers?

Pioneers 5-0

The MidAmerica Nazarene University Football team is 5-0.  They are currently ranked 5th in the nation and have already made it through a very difficult stretch of games unscathed.  Here is an update on the first five games:

@ Avila:
The Pioneers got scored on their first six possessions and easily won 42-7.  The Pioneers racked up 509 yards of total offense and held Avila to just 175.

#24 Baker:
The game remained close throughout in the season opener for the Pioneers, but they prevailed in a 24-16 game.  Jake Duren was named HAAC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the game.

@ Culver-Stockton:
After a very sluggish start to the game, MNU got hot and beat the Wildcats 46-13.  Dantren Anderson's 11 tackles and two sacks earned him the HAAC Defensive Player of the Week.

#2 Lindenwood:
In one of the best regular season games on the schedule for the entire NAIA, the Pioneers held on to defeat the reigning HAAC champs and National runner-up the Lindenwood Lions.  The Lion offense averaged over 60 points a game and over 650 of yards of offense, but were held scoreless in the second half.  The Pioneers used two field goals from Junior Cody Morrow in the second half to break a 20-20 tie at halftime. 

@ #20 Benedictine:
MNU fought off a "game hangover" from an emotional win the week before to beat the Ravens 23-7.  The Pioneers trailed at halftime, but overcame adversity to put BC away late in the game.

The Pioneers next game is this Saturday at home agains Graceland Universtiy.  The are currently in sole possession of first place in the conference.