by Chaise Pfanstiel–The No. 3 Mustangs came out a little slow against Doane, Saturday, Sept. 30 in Crete, Neb., as they took on Doane University. Up just 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, Morningside brought home a 38-7 victory.
Morningside was unlucky early in its passing game, ending the first quarter with a single field goal. A quarterback change sparked the Mustangs in the second quarter, with Lennx Brown lining up behind center. He took the team down the field, capping a 13-play, 78-yard drive with a quick three-yard pass to Griffin Kraft for a score.
That seemed to be the spark needed for Morningside. In the second quarter the Mustang offense stomped down the field in 12 plays. Brown hit receiver Drew Sellon for a touchdown catch. Then, with about 50 seconds left until halftime, Cash Parker returned to the game and was able to connect with wide receiver Zach Norton for a 19-yard score leading them into the third quarter.
Coming out of halftime down 24-0, Doane had to do something to not let this game get away from them. Doane was able to intercept a pass on the first play of the drive which led to a Tiger touchdown, making the score 24-7.
The struggles continued for both teams throughout the second half. The Mustang offense struggled to get more points on the board, but less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Parker found Joshua Simmons in the endzone for a touchdown. Then only a few plays later, Parker connected with Laken Harnly for 64 yards. These two touchdowns would be the cap on the scoring for the day.
Morningside finished with 458 yards in total offense, 275 of those coming through the air. The Mustang offensive line did not allow a sack. The defense allowed 47 rushing yards and totaled 13 tackles-for-loss.
Cash Parker totaled 195 passing yards on the day, and Brown added 70 yards on 11-of-13 passing, and two scores. Jaylen Burch led the Mustangs in rushing yards with 64, with Bryson Freeberg not far behind with 58. The Mustangs main receiver on the day was sophomore Drew Sellon, pulling in catches for 72 yards. Norton tallied 60 receiving yards and a score. Kraft, Harnly, and Simmons picked up touchdown grabs for the Mustangs.
GPAC Defensive Player of the Week Isaac Pingel led the defense with six solo tackles, six assisted tackles, and five tackles for loss, along with two sacks.
The Morningside Mustangs will host Concordia for homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 1:30p.m.
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