Fayette, Mo. - The Central Methodist Football program welcome the Clarke University Pride to Davis Field as part of Family Weekend festivities Saturday afternoon.
CMU fell to the Pride by a final score of 20-12.
On their opening possession on their own 26 yard line, the Eagles drove to the Clarke 26 before the drive stalled. Central lined up for a 43 yard field goal attempt which missed the upright after sailing wide right.
The Pride then drove 74 yards in seven plays, capping the drive with a 34 yard rushing touchdown to go out in front, 6-0. Clarke missed the extra point and the score remained 6-0 in favor of CU.
The next three drives of the game did not result in any points heading into the early stages of the second quarter. CMU caught a break at the 10:32 mark of the second.
With the Pride pinned deep in their own territory on fourth down, a high snap forced Clarke's punter backwards, stepping out of the back of the endzone for a safety and two points for the Eagles.
CMU's defense held steady, keeping Clarke off the board in their nex two drives. Central found life from its defense, as linebacker Dylan Holt intercepted Clarke's quarterback at the Eagle 30 yard line. Holt nearly returned interception all the way back for a touchdown, but was eventually tackled at the Clarke 10 yard line with 40 seconds left in the half.
The offense would capitilize three plays later, as quarterback Alvaro Ortega-Morales ran the ball in from two yards out for the score. The extra point attempt from Oscar Simon was good, and the Eagles held a 9-6 lead heading into the locker room at the halftime break.
CU would jump back out in front on their opening drive of the third, going 71 yards in six plays to take a 13-9 lead.
Clarke extended its lead in the opening moments of the fourth on a ball that was fumbled into the endzone and recovered by the Pride for the touchdown.
Trailing 20-9, Central cut the defecit to eight on a 34 yard field goal at the 11:11 mark of the quarter. The Eagles were unable to complete the comeback, as Clarke escapred with an eight-point win.
Dawan Lomax led the ground attack for Central with 102 rushing yards on 24 carries. Drake Dudley made four catches for 58 yards including a 40 yard grab in the early stages of the fourth.
Central held the ball for more than three minutes of offensive possession compared to Clarke. However, CMU turned the ball over twice.
Nyjahl Vaughn and Brenden Dye led the defensive unit with eight tackles, while Holt's interception set up Central's lone touchdown of the game.
CMU opens Heart South Division play against Missouri Valley College Saturday, Sept. 28 at 1:00 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.
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