February 21 - JACKETS HAVE THREE ALL-AMERICANS
Lamoni, Iowa – Graceland kept their All-American streak alive at four years. The Don Hansen Football Gazette placed WR Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC) on the 2nd team. LB Nate Bennett (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) and DB Roshe Hepburn (Jr./Orlando, Fla./Evans HS) made honorable mention. Hepburn earned All-American honors for the second time while it was the first time for Bennett and Louder.Louder had a solid season with 45 catches for 730 yards, 11 touchdowns and averaged 16.2 yards a catch. He also returned eight punts for 89 yards and eight kickoffs for 212 yards for a team high 1055 all-purpose yards. Louder ranked among the top ten in school history in catches and yards while his 11 TD grabs were third best.
Bennett, who was 2nd team last year, led the squad with 51 assist tackles and 86 total tackles. He also had eight tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack, blocked two passes, picked off one and recovered two fumbles.
Hepburn had 53 tackles, forced three fumbles and blocked 11 passes.
November 28 - GRACELAND HAS 11 ALL-HAAC PERFORMERS
Lamoni, Iowa – Graceland was well represented on the All-Heart of America Conference team. LB Nate Bennett (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State), DB Roshe Hepburn (Jr./Orlando, Fla./Evans HS) and WR Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC) made first team. A total of 11 players were selected to the team.Bennett, who was 2nd team last year, led the squad with 51 assist tackles and 86 total tackles. He also had eight tackles for a loss, one quarterback sack, blocked two passes, picked off one and recovered two fumbles. Hepburn made first team for the second time. He had 53 tackles, forced three fumbles and blocked 11 passes. Louder had a solid season with 45 catches for 730 yards, 11 touchdowns and averaged 16.2 yards a catch. He also returned eight punts for 89 yards and eight kickoffs for 212 yards for a team high 1055 all-purpose yards.
Earning second team honors were LB Chris Bell (So./Lamoni, Iowa/Northern Iowa), QB Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State), WR Geary Davenport (Sr./Oakland, Calif./College of Marin) and RB Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS). Bell led the team with nine tackles for a loss and 46 solo tackles. He finished with 75 tackles and blocked eight passes. Braddock earned All-HAAC honors for the third time to close out his career. He completed 53.1% of his passes for 2362 yards and 22 touchdowns in 10 games. He ran for 81 yards and five touchdowns and had 2443 yards in total offense. Davenport was the number two receiver with 43 catches for 471 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 88 yards and a touchdown, returned 11 punts for 152 yards, one kickoff for 17 yards and had 728 all-purpose yards. Strong had a solid season running for 781 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 13 passes for 185 yards, returned two kickoffs for 49 yards and had 1015 all-purpose yards.
Third team honors went to OL James Blake (Jr./Orlando, Fla./Evans HS), DL Joe Elliot (Sr./Benecia, Calif./Solano CC), OL Justin Nave (Sr./Springfield, Mo./Parkview HS) and KR Alonso Spiller (Fr./Moberly, Mo./Moberly HS). Elliot had 21 tackles with five for a loss, one quarterback sack and recovered two fumbles. Spiller returned one punt for 36 yards, six kickoffs for 198 yards and caught nine passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
November 6 - BRADDOCK AND PENTEK TAKE HONORS
Lamoni, Iowa – The Heart of America Conference (HAAC) has named QB Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) and OLB Robert Pentek (Sr./Chicago, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia HS) the players of the week for November 4. This is the first time either player has won the award this season.Braddock was 21-of-50 for 228 and threw for four touchdowns in a 28-27 loss to #5 Missouri Valley. Pentek had four tackles, one for a loss, one QB sack, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass.
November 4 - WHAT A GAME!!
Lamoni, Iowa – The fans definitely got their money’s worth today. #5 Missouri Valley (9-0 HAAC, 10-0) had to hold on for a 28-27 win over #16 Graceland (6-3 HAAC, 6-3). GU will close the regular season November 11 against Mid-America Nazarene. The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.Missouri Valley wasted no time in scoring first. With just 1:12 elapsed, Jason Shoulders hit Ryan Ross with a 72-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. Another touchdown pass to Ross and a touchdown run by Robert Holmes made it 20-0 and things looked bleak for the Yellowjackets. Graceland got the crowd going as Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) fired a 12-yard TD strike to Cedric Carmel (Sr./Oxnard, Calif./Moorpark College) with 1:25 to go in the first half.
The Jackets came out revived in the second half. With 7:24 left in the third quarter, Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC) went 15 yards to score on a pass from Braddock. With 4:35 left in the third quarter, Michael Harmon (Sr./Los Angeles, Calif./Compton College) blocked a punt. Pedro Cunningham (Jr./Chicago, Ill.) recovered at the Missouri Valley 29. However the Jackets had a two-yard loss, a 15-yard sack and an incomplete pass and had to punt. With 37 seconds left in the third, a tackle for a loss gave GU the ball at MVC’s 19. The Vikings defense held.
Missouri Valley tried to put the game out of reach as Shoulders hit Michael Loveless for 27 yards to make it 28-14 with 10:22 to go. Graceland refused to quit and Geary Davenport (Sr./Oakland, Calif./College of Marin) went eight yards with a pass from Braddock to make it 3:14. The Yellowjacket defense came through as they pressured the punter and dropped him for a 15-yard loss with 2:15 to go at his own 25. It took just four plays to get in the end zone with Carmel going the final 14 on a pass from Braddock. On the extra point attempt, the snap was bad and the jackets could not convert. The Vikings recovered an onside kick and ran the clock out.
Braddock was 21-of-50 for 228 and four touchdowns. Louder had eight catches for 84 yards and a touchdown while Carmel had four receptions for 51 yards and two touchdowns. Layton Squire (Sr./New Virginia, Iowa/I-35 HS) had his best punting performance of the season averaging 38.4 yards a boot on eight punts.
On defense, Harmon had 5.5 tackles with one for a loss and forced a fumble, Milton Thomas (Jr./Gardena, Calif./Sierra College) had five tackles with one for a loss and blocked a pass and Robert Pentek (Sr./Chicago, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia HS) had four tackles, one for a loss, one QB sack, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and picked off a pass.
Football - FOOTBALL'S DYNAMIC DUO
Two Graceland University football players have earned HAAC player of the week awards. Donva Louder a senior wide receiver from Long Beach, California has earned the offensive award for his outstanding five catch/five touchdown effort on Saturday versus Central Methodist University. Louder also amassed 130 with those five catches. Milton Thomas a junior linebacker from Gardenia, California earned the defensive player of the week honors as he led the Jackets in tackles (six solo, two assists), two for loss and he also picked off one Eagle pass on Saturday. Thomas for the second week in a row led the team in tackles.October 28 - GRACELAND EXPRESS ROLLS ON
Fayette, Mo. – Look out, the Graceland Express is on the loose. #16 Graceland (6-2 HAAC, 6-2) just ran over Central Methodist (2-6 HAAC, 2-7) 59-27 today. GU closes out the home season, Saturday, Nov. 4 with a big game against #6 Missouri Valley. The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.Graceland had a slight 24-7 lead at halftime. The Yellowjackets broke it open as Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) tossed two touchdown passes in the fist six minutes of the third quarter to Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC). Louder ended up with a perfect day; five catches for 130 yards and five touchdowns.
Offensively, Braddock was 13-of-26 for 230 yards and five touchdowns. He also ran for 37 yards giving him 267 yards in total offense. Geary Davenport (Sr./Oakland, Calif./College of Marin) had seven catches for 95 yards and totaled 188 yards in all-purpose yardage. The Jackets ran for 161 yards led by Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS) who had 74 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Graceland held Central Methodist to 217 total yards in offense. That becomes a more impressive number when you know that 88 of those yards came on two carries. Milton Thomas (Jr./Gardena, Calif./Sierra College) had seven tackles, two for a loss and picked off one pass, Robert Pentek (Sr./Chicago, Ill./St. Rita of Cascia) had 2.5 sacks and Daryl McNeil (Jr./Harvey, Ill./Southern Illinois) recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown.
October 21, 2006 - JACKETS WIN MUD BOWL
Lamoni, Iowa – It was weather fit neither for man nor beast but they played on. #17 Graceland (5-2 HAAC, 5-2) remained in the hunt for an NAIA Postseason bid with a 20-6 win over Evangel (4-4 HAAC, 4-4) today. GU hits the road, October 28, to take on Central Methodist. The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.The rain turned the field into a mud pile and winds of 20-30 miles an hour contributed to the 38 degree temperature. Evangel got the first break when Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) was hit as throwing. The ball hung in the air and Jon Fouch picked it off and went 43 yards untouched to make it 6-0. Alonso Spiller (Fr./Moberly, Mo./Moberly HS) got a few good blocks and made a great move at the 20 to end up returning the kickoff 79 yards. With the extra point, the Yellowjackets led 7-6. Just 44 seconds into the second quarter, Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS) ran it in from the two to make it 14-6. Strong added a 10-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter.
Strong had a solid day with 19 carries for 112 and two touchdowns. GU finished the day with 177 yards on the ground and 71 in the air. Defensively, the Yellowjackets had held Evangel to just seven yard of total offense heading into the fourth quarter. The Crusaders ended up with negative one yard rushing and threw for 48 for a total of 47 yards. Milton Thomas (Jr./Gardena, Calif./Sierra College) had seven tackles with two for a loss and David Herrera (Sr./Oxnard, Calif./Ventura College) had four solo tackles, all of them in the second half.
Ocotber 14 - GRACELAND HANGS ON
Liberty, Mo. – #23 Graceland (4-2 HAAC, 4-2) bounced back with a 28-25 win over William Jewell (3-4 HAAC, 3-4) today. GU returns home Oct. 21 taking on Evangel. The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.William Jewell struck first as Stephen Bader nailed a 34-yard field goal to make it 3-0. Graceland took control of the ball and methodically advanced down the field. Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS) ended the drive plunging two yards into the end zone to make it 7-3 midway through the first stanza. With 6:58 to go in the first half, Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) hit Alonso Spiller (Fr./Moberly, Mo./Moberly HS) for 27-yard score to make it 14-3 at halftime. The Cardinals were held to 80 yards in the first half.
In the second half, Roshe Hepburn (Jr./Orlando, Fla./Evans HS) picked off a pass and took it back 52 yards. After a penalty moved the ball back to the Cardinals 49, Strong ripped off a 49-yard run to make it 21-3 with 4:50 to go. William Jewell was threating but Nate Bennett (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) recovered a fumble at the Graceland 25-yard line with 18 seconds left in the third. Braddock fell into the endzone from the one-yard line with 9:02 to go in the game to make it 28-3. The Cardinal refused to quit scoring three touchdowns in the last five minutes to close to 28-25. The Jackets fell on an onside kick with 45 seconds left to finally seal the game.
Sept. 30 - SECOND HALF BLUES
Lamoni, Iowa – #17 Graceland (3-2 HAAC, 3-2) stumbled in the second half with a 28-20 loss to Benedictine College (3-1 HAAC, 4-1) tonight. This is the second straight loss for the Jackets. GU is off until Oct. 14 when they travel to play William Jewell. The game is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m.Graceland took it to Benedictine the entire first half. Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) and Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS) both had one-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. The Yellowjackets ended up with 153 yards in total offense to just 95 for the Ravens.
The second half was controlled by Benedictine. BC got a touchdown with 10:36 to go in the 3rd quarter to make it 14-13. About a minute later, Braddock found Cedric Carmel (Sr./Oxnard, Calif./Moorpark College) for 48 yards and a score to make it 21-14. The big play came with about seven minutes to go. GU made a big stop on third and nine but a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive. BC would eventually score at the 6:18 mark and then 1:50 into the fourth. An interception with a minute to go sealed the game. The Ravens out gained the Jackets, 176 to 127 in the second half.
Braddock finished going 21-of-36 for 228 yards while Carmel had four catches for 78 yards. Defensively, Chris Bell (Fr./Lamoni, Iowa/Northern Iowa) had 9.5 tackles and Roshe Hepburn (Jr./Orlando, Fla./Evans HS) had nine tackles.
FOOTBALL - LIONS STOP THE JACKETS ONCE AGAIN
St. Charles, Mo. – #8 Graceland (3-1 HAAC, 3-1) saw their undefeated season come to an end, 38-21 to Lindenwood (2-2 HAAC, 2-3) Saturday night. This is the second straight season that the Yellowjackets suffered their first loss to the Lions. GU is home, Sept. 30 for the homecoming game. The game, which is against Benedictine College is scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m.Lindenwood played the half of their life in the opening stanza. The Lions ran for 192 yards and had 314 yards of total offense in the first half. Graceland was held to 159 yards. GU got on the board when Jason Enright (Fr./St. Joseph, Mo./St. Joseph Central HS) nailed a 23-yard field goal. That made it 28-3, Lions at halftime.
The second half belonged to Graceland. The Jackets amassed 298 yards in total offense while holding the Lions to just 130. Down 35-3, Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) led the comeback attempt. He fired two touchdown strikes and ran for a score to close it to 35-21 midway through the final quarter. Lindenwood chipped in a 30-yard field goal to seal the game.
Braddock had his best game of the season going 31-of-43 for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown and had 412 yards in total offense. Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Julian HS) grabbed seven passes for 100 yards including a 56 yarder that set up the last touchdown. Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. College) had 212 yards in all-purpose running. Defensively, Nathan Bennett (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) had 11 tackles and Chris Bell (Fr./Lamoni, Iowa/Northern Iowa) had 10 tackles and blocked three passes.
FOOTBALL - YELLOWJACKETS ROLL ON
Lamoni, Iowa – #11 Graceland (3-0 HAAC, 3-0) remained undefeated with a 42-16 win over Culver-Stockton (0-3 HAAC, 0-3) tonight. Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) ended up breaking the career record for passing yards. GU hits the road to take on Lindenwood, Saturday, September 23. The game is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.Culver-Stockton hung in there for the first quarter. Michael Stephens (Sr./Lemoore, Calif./College of the Sequoias) banged it in from the two-yard line with 4:29 to go. Just 80 seconds later, Jeremey Osborne went 72 yards on a pass from Jimmy Peyton to tie it at 7-7. Braddock scored from the one with 28 seconds left in the opening stanza. He would throw two touchdown strikes in the first five minutes of the second quarter to break the game open.
Graceland pounded out 175 yards on the ground. Julius Strong (Sr./Chicago, Ill./Percy L. Jullian HS) led the way with 90 yards and averaging 10 yards a carry. Braddock was 13-of-19 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 6405 yards in his career breaking the record of 6359 held by Russell Bruch (1978-81).
FOOTBALL - JACKETS COME FROM BEHIND
Baker, Kan. - #16 Graceland (2-0 HAAC, 2-0) had to come from behind for a 21-17 win over Baker (1-1 HAAC, 1-1) tonight. The Wildcats scored with 4:51 left to make it 17-14. With under four minutes to go, Donva Louder went 60 yards on a reception down to Baker's three-yard line. On the next play, 3:06 to go, Julius Strong punched it in the endzone for the win. Due to technical difficulties, stats will not be available until tomorrow. A more detailed story will follow.THOMAS NAMED HAAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lamoni, Iowa – Milton Thomas, a junior linebacker from Graceland, has been selected Heart of America Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Thomas recorded two solo tackles and two assisted tackles, including one tackle for a loss and a sack. The Gardenia, California native picked off a pass and returned it 17 yards to set up the Yellowjackets final score to help Graceland to a 24-7 win over Avila.GRACELAND STARTS WITH A WIN
Lamoni, Iowa – It wasn’t pretty, but an ugly win is better than a pretty loss any day. #16 Graceland (1-0 HAAC, 1-0) pounded out a 24-7 win over Avila (0-1 HAAC, 0-1) in the season opener for both squads. GU hits the road to take on Baker, Saturday, September 14. The game is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m.Graceland drew first blood as Clayton Braddock (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) hit Cedric Carmel (Sr./Oxnard, Calif./Moorpark College) with a 56-yd touchdown strike. That made it 7-0, Jackets with 3:37 left to go in the first quarter. With 8:52 left in the half, Braddock fired another touchdown pass, this one for 20 yards to Geary Davenport (Sr./Oakland, Calif./College of Marin). Avila refused to quit and Doug Wendell caught a two-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds left in the half.
The Yellowjackets scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the second half and then used strong defense to hold off the Eagles. Braddock finished the night 14-of-29 for 252 yards and two touchdowns. He broke the career record for completions (392) and total offensive yards (6367). Both of those marks had been set by Russell Bruch (1978-81). Donva Louder (Sr./Long Beach, Calif./East L.A. CC) had a solid night with five catches for 85 yards, returned three punts for 32 yards and one kickoff for 31 yards.
Defensively, Graceland held Avila to 121 yards on the ground and 151 in the air for 272 total yards. Nathan Bennett (Sr./Grand Prairie, Texas/Missouri Southern State) led the way with seven and a half tackles while Raphael Murphy (Jr./Chicago, Ill./Thornton Township HS) had two quarterback sacks.
