Box Score SHERMAN – Austin College blocked a 45-yard field goal on the last play of the game and held on to defeat Wayland Baptist University here Saturday afternoon, 24-23.
Pioneer head coach
Butch Henderson said while the loss was tough to swallow, he came away encouraged in many areas.
'We were very, very close, although we weren't able to finish it, as they say," Henderson said. "I thought we made a vast improvement. The kids played hard. I don't think there was one of those athletes who came off the football field who wasn't worn out and didn't give you everything he had."
Austin College took a safety with 24 seconds left that allowed the Pioneers to pull to within a point. After Wayland's
Brandon Sheppard returned the free kick 22 yards to the Austin College 43-yard line, the Pioneers, with just 14 seconds on the clock, benefited from a pass interference penalty that put the ball at the Kangaroo 27.
Wayland called timeout to set up the game-winning field goal by
Kevin Merrill with three seconds to go, but it was blocked.
"We had chances late to win," Henderson said. "We drove the ball well and came up with key defensive stands that we needed. We just didn't get one punched in."
The Pioneers (1-5) struck first in the game on a 26-yard touchdown pass from
Anthony Campuzano to Zac Fair with 2:41 left in the first quarter.
Thomas Curry caught a two-point conversion pass from
Josh Bailey and Wayland led 8-0.
The Kangaroos (2-5) scored the next three touchdowns – all on 1-yard runs by three different players – to take a 21-8 lead early in the third. The Pioneers got back in it when Campuzano hooked up with
Zac Maldonado on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 7:53 left in the third.
Reid Layton's PAT kick made it 21-15.
The Kangaroos added three points to their lead on a 23-yard field goal, but the Pioneers didn't go away. Wayland's D.J. Brown scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 8½ minutes left in the game, and after Layton's PAT kick failed, the Pioneers found themselves down by three, 24-21.
Wayland was poised to take the lead with a first down and goal at the 3. After three straight runs didn't get the touchdown, the Pioneers went to the air only to have a close pass play to
Saul Elizalde in the end zone called incomplete with 41 seconds left.
"We got down inside the 5-yard line and didn't get that one in," Henderson said.
The Pioneer defense held strong and on fourth-down and 6 from their own 5 the Kangaroos opted to take a safety, leading up to the dramatic ending.
"The kids played hard until the very end. They gave it everything they had," Henderson said.
Wayland ended with 30 first downs compared to 17 for Austin College. While the Pioneers did most of their damage in the air, passing for 430 of their 445 total yards, the Kangaroos kept it on the ground and rushed for 286 of their 327 total yards.
Campuzano completed 40-of-55 passes for 430 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. He completed passes to 14 different receivers, with Curry,
Josh Amador and
Josh Bailey catching six passes apiece.
Wayland was without leading rushing
Kendall Roberson due to injury.
Henderson again was amazed at the fan support for the Pioneers.
"We had that whole visitors' side full again," he said. "That's a positive there, but we have to go back and find a way to finish it out and win it."
The Pioneers return home next Saturday for homecoming against Southwestern Assemblies of God. Kickoff at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium is 2 p.m.
