Nicks’ fumble recovery for touchdown sparks C-SC to best start since 1975

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College football team won for the fourth time in five games on Saturday, defeating Central Methodist 44-36 on Saturday afternoon during homecoming weekend in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game at Ellison Poulton Stadium. 

It’s the best start since the 1975 season, when the Wildcats opened with a 4-1 record.

Connor Perrine, the offensive player of the week last week in the Heart, had another big day with six receptions for 129 yards and two touchdowns, giving him eight this season. Quarterback Jase Orndorff passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns, completing 19 of 33 passes. Running back Jordan Grant had his third 100-yard rushing game of the season, gaining 114 yards on 22 carries. C-SC had 489 yards of offense.

The most valuable offensive player in the first half, however, was placekicker Michael Velasco. He made field goals from 28, 28 and 36 yards.

Culver-Stockton’s first touchdown came on defense. With 1:59 remaining in the second quarter, linebacker Sam Baillie hit Eagles running back Ashton Bonnor in the backfield and forced a fumble. Wildcats linebacker Eric Nicks scooped up the ball and raced 13 yards to put the hosts ahead 16-14.

The teams traded the lead four times in the third quarter. The Eagles’ Katavious Taylor caught TD passes of 37 and nine yards from Paxton DeLaurent. Culver-Stockton scored on a 10-yard pass from Orndorff to Perrine and a 1-yard run by Grant, whose score put C-SC ahead 30-28 after three quarters.

An interception by Orndorff early in the fourth quarter gave CMU the ball at the Wildcats’ 45. The C-SC defense stiffened and forced a three-and-out and a punt by the Eagles.

The C-SC offense then marched 81 yards on six plays. The drive ended with Perrine and Orndorff hooking up for their second touchdown this time from 11 yards out.

On the ensuing possession, safety David Hernandez intercepted DeLaurent to give the ball back to the Wildcats. C-SC responded quickly as Orndorff hit Byron Fisher with a short pass,  and Fisher escaped an Eagle defender to score from 44 yards out. C-SC led 44-28 lead with seven minutes left in the game.

The Eagles answered with a 13-play, 77-yard drive and added a two-point conversion to get within 44-36. However, Perrine recovered an onside kick by the Eagles, and the Wildcats registered three first downs before running out the clock.

The homecoming victory was Culver-Stockton’s first since a 24-19 decision over Evangel in 2014.