Not-so-special teams plays by Wildcats result in overtime loss to Spartans

ST. LOUIS — From the Missouri Baptist football team’s perspective, the special teams play in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game was truly special.

From Culver-Stockton College’s perspective, it was far less than spectacular

The Spartans scored three touchdowns in the final nine minutes of regulation — a 64-yard punt return by Joseph White was one of the scores — and erased a 22-point deficit to force overtime at Spartan Stadium. The extra period was needed only after Missouri Baptist blocked C-SC’s 30-yard field goal attempt as time expired.

In overtime, the Spartans scored on a 23-yard pass on their second play and then forced the Wildcats to turn the ball over on downs to cement a 44-37 victory.

The Wildcats are 0-3 heading into a three-week stretch against nationally ranked opponents, beginning next week at No. 18 Baker.

C-SC had a chance to carry some momentum into that gauntlet, having taken a 37-15 lead on Demarion Cobb’s 2-yard touchdown run with 9:30 remaining in regulation. However, Missouri Baptist began its rally with a four-play, 65-yard scoring drive that took just 58 seconds and was capped by Julian Williams’ 4-yard touchdown catch. The two-point conversion trimmed the deficit to 14 points.

The Wildcats went three-and-out on their next possession and allowed White to rip off the punt return for a touchdown that made it a one-possession game.

Another C-SC punt followed, and Missouri Baptist marched 72 yards in seven plays, converting on third and 10 at midfield and capping the drive with Nick Watkins’ 26-yard touchdown reception with 1:21 to go. Jonah Cox’s PAT tied the game at 37.

C-SC took over on its own 36-yard line with 1:13 to go and used a pair of Drake Day 22-yArd completions to reach the Missouri Baptist 13-yard line. The Wildcats took a timeout with one second remaining to set up a 30-yard field goal attempt for Ethan Boulanger.

The Spartans’ Kaden Lutjen-Williams broke through the middle of the line and blocked the kick to force overtime. Missouri Baptist scored on Kaden Solverud’s 23-yard reception and then forced C-SC to lose 5 yards on two carries and throw two incompletions to end the game.

Day threw for 262 yards and one touchdown, while Cobb rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns. C-SC outgained Missouri Baptist 470-364 in total yardage.