BATESVILLE, Ark. – Statistics don't always tell an accurate story. Such was the case when Wayland Baptist took on Lyon College in Sooner Athletic Conference play here Saturday afternoon.
While the Pioneers ended with three more first downs and came within eight yards of matching Lyon, the Scots dominated on the scoreboard to the tune of 42-7. Lyon jumped out to a 28-0 lead and never looked back.
Hoping to win their third straight, the Pioneers instead fell to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference. Lyon improved its marks to 5-2, 4-1.
Wayland's offense had a tough time getting going, leaving the field with just two first downs on its first four possessions. Lyon, meanwhile, scored touchdowns on its first four drives – three TD passes and one rush – and was in command 28-0 early in the second quarter.
The Pioneers scored their touchdown late in the third quarter on a one-yard quarterback keeper by
Mitchell Parsley. Reigning SAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Kaleb Thornton booted the PAT.
The big plays on the 73-yard drive were a 20-yard run by
Christian Vaughn and a 24-yard pass from Parsley to
Skyler Whitten.
Unfortunately, Lyon got the points right back when Ignacio Gomez returned the ensuing kickoff 55 yards for a score.
The Scots' last TD midway through the fourth quarter resulted from a 44-yard punt return to the Wayland 13-yard line.
Incredibly, the Pioneers were credited with 22 first downs compared to 19 for Lyon, which barely outdid Wayland in total yardage, 303-295.
The game saw two turnovers, both interceptions thrown by the Pioneers. Neither, however, directly led to Lyon points.
Parsley completed 15-of-30 passes for 156 yards.
Noah Lujan caught six balls for 58 yards. On the ground,
Jerrell Peterson ran 19 times for 87 yards.
On defense,
Trace Richey paced the Pioneers with nine tackles, followed by
Manny Arguijo with seven and
Casey Buck with six.
Jaden Fanner recorded a pair of sacks.
The Pioneers return home for the first time in a month when they host Oklahoma-Panhandle State at 2 p.m. Nov. 2 for Wayland's homecoming game. The Aggies (2-5, 2-3) and Pioneers are tied for fifth in the SAC standings. OPSU fell on Saturday on the road against Arizona Christian, 34-14.
