October 11, 2008 | Box Score
Lamoni, IA-After a tough start to the season the Yellowjacket football team came into today's game against Culver with high expectations. Both the Wildcats and the Yellowjackets entererd the contest at 0-5 and were in search of their first wins on the season. Backed by a huge homecoming crowd, Graceland would get that win that has eluded them all season. Graceland scored the final touchdown of the game with .33 seconds remaining on the clock giving them a 21-17 victory over Culver Stockton.
Culver got the scoring started in the first quarter with a with a 39 yard field goal by Will Ryan with 4:07 remaining. In the second half the Wildcats would pick off a Zach Stuart (Neosho, MO) pass and run in back 46 yards giving Culver a 10-0 advantage. A resilient Yellowjacket team however, would not give in. Graceland found paydirt late in the second quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by Donald Clark (Orlando, FL) cutting into the Wildcat lead. Culver would come right back with 1:12 in the 2nd quarter as quarterback Dustin Jacoby scored on a 9 yard run giving the Wildcats a 17-7 halftime lead.
In the second half after recovering an onside kick, the Jackets cut into the Wildcat lead as Donald Clark scored his second touchdown of the game with 11:59 remaining in the 3rd. PAT was good by Luis Villagomez (San Diego, CA) and Graceland now only trailed 17-14. The score would remain that way into the waning minutes of the contest when quarterback Zach Stuart connected with senior wideout Tyler Stewart (San Diego, CA) on an 18 yard strike with .33 seconds remaining in the game. The score gave Graceland the lead for good at 21-17 salting away their first win on the season.
"I am very proud of our players and this is the first time this season where they have all believed in one another and stuck to the game plan," stated Coach Cris Welch. "In the record this win might not carry the weight of a conference championship but for our program right now it was a big win that we needed," concluded Coach Welch.
The Jackets next face Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO next Saturday afternoon at 1:30pm. Stay in tuned to the Jacket athletics website for continuing coverage of Graceland football and all Jacket atheltics.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
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