The Missouri Valley Vikings’ only lead in their game against the St Ambrose Fighting Bees came with eight seconds to go, when Bruno Kincaid booted a 21-yard field goal to give the Vikings the 30-28 win Saturday, Oct. 4 at Volney C Ashford Stadium.
The Vikings trailed for much of the contest, as St Ambrose scored on their first possession with a 28-yard pass from Alec Ponder to Jaylen Brazzle. The Bees added another touchdown later in the quarter, before Missouri Valley was able to get on the board with their following possession. It was a 21-7 score at the half, as St Ambrose went 75 yards in ten plays for their last drive of the second quarter.
The third quarter saw the Vikings tie the game with a pair of drives that ended in touchdowns. The tie came about late in the third quarter, Nate Pouliot hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tomele Staples. The Bees retook the lead with under 4:30 to go. Missouri Valley responded with a 40-yard pass from Stalpes to Khalil White. However, Kincaid’s point-after attempt was blocked.
After the defense stalled St Ambrose at midfield to force a punt, the Vikings then went 12 plays and 76 yards in 84 seconds to set up the game-winning field goal. On that drive alone, Staples was five-for-seven, including a 20-yard pass play to Adonis Whitley. A pair of running plays—one for 17, another for 30—got Valley to the four to make Kincaid’s game-winner a 21-yard chip shot.
Staples finished the game 20-for-30 with four touchdowns and one interception. Khalil White had two of those touchdown catches, with five catches total for 124 yards, including the 40-yard touchdown score. Silas Morton led the Vikings’ rushing game with 11 carries for 54 yards. For St Ambrose, the Bees were heavily reliant on the rushing game. Jaylen Brazzle had eight catches including two touchdowns totaling 93 yards. Alec Ponder went 14-for-22 with 145 yards in the air.
Missouri Valley is now 3-2. All the teams in the Heart of America will have next week off. Missouri Valley will next travel to Fulton on Oct. 18 to face the Owls of William Woods.
Other College Football finals from Saturday:
at MidAmerica Nazarene 35, Central Methodist 3
at Baker 68, William Woods 14
Culver-Stockton 28, at Graceland 21
Benedictine 52, at Missouri Baptist 21
at Peru State 54, Clarke 0
Central Missouri 35, at Central Oklahoma 34
at Indianapolis 63, William Jewell 17
Southwest Baptist 50, at Lincoln 21
Upper Iowa 36, at Missouri S&T 26
Fort Hays State 28, at Missouri Southern 21
Emporia State 50, at Missouri Western 14