Taylor University (2-1) stayed in the win column as they earned a 42-35 win over Kentucky Christian University (1-1).
The Trojans got out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter after a pair of rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Nathan Parker. KCU responded right away with a touchdown of their own. Sophomore quarterback Jackson Wasik completed a 23-yard pass to freshman wideout Jalen Briscoe for their first points of the game in the first quarter.
Taylor’s momentum slipped as KCU forced a turnover on downs on defense on Taylor’s side of the 50 midway through the second quarter. The Knights’ offense went right back to work and sophomore running back Jamorean Dale punched it in on the ground from the goal line after a 10-play, 69-yard drive, matching the Trojans 14-14.
The Trojans answered back with a grueling 15-play, 76-yard drive that took 6:37 off the clock. The drive was punctuated by a 1-yard touchdown run from sophomore running back Ethan Albert.
With only 50 seconds remaining in the half, the KCU Knights went 95 yards and tied it up 21-21 off of another touchdown pass from Wasick, who connected with senior wide receiver Jordan West.
Wasick was the driving force behind the Knights’ offense through the air and on the ground. In the first half, he broke off two big runs and scrambled 69 yards before halftime, leading the team.
“He’s (Wasick) very talented,” head coach Aaron Mingo said. “We knew he was going to be problematic, and I think he exposed certain scenarios on defense where we’ve got to be better at accounting for a scrambling quarterback.”
Both teams had multiple drives stall to open the second half. It wasn’t until there was 1:22 left in the third quarter that Parker collected his third rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out to put the Trojans on top 28-21. Parker added his fourth rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to extend the lead. KCU attempted to mount a comeback with two more touchdowns but it was too little too late as the Trojan defense held on and the offense scored one more touchdown for a 42-35 win.
With his four-touchdown, 246-yard performance, Nathan Parker earned his second MSFA Offensive Player of the Week honors of the year. His first came after the game against St. Francis (Ill.), where he rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns.
“I averaged over eight yards per carry (versus KCU) because our line is just so good,” Parker said. “Sometimes, I didn’t even get touched. Like on that big 50-yard run, no one even touched me.”
After KCU, Taylor heads into their bye week. It couldn’t come at a better time, as players are taking their week off to recuperate from injuries and soreness.
Junior wideout J.J. Payne, senior wideout Jack D’Arcy and junior running back Kyle Turanchik were missing against the Knights. With their bye week happening, they will have time to heal and get ready for on-field action.
“We’re still scouting and still practicing, but he (Mingo) is giving us the whole weekend off,” senior defensive back Dawson Scally said. “We’ll be doing some shorter practices and it’s really nice to recover our bodies.”
Taylor’s next game is Homecoming against the St. Francis Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 4th at 1 p.m.
