Football Heads to Culver-Stockton

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Looking to get back on track, the Clarke University football team heads to Canton, Mo., to take on the Culver-Stockton Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Poulton Stadium. Ticket prices start at $10 and can be purchased in advance here.

The Pride (3-4 overall, 0-1 Heart North) are coming off a 16-9 loss to Peru State last weekend. Quarterback Brandon Mueller finished the game 12-of-36 passing for 145 yards and a score, a beautiful touch pass to running back Darius Hernandez near the back of the end zone in the second quarter. Mueller also led the way on the ground to the tune of 89 yards, while Hernandez finished with 26 yards. Wide receiver Jaquan Graham had a team-high 48 receiving yards. 

The Series

Clarke trails the all-time series at two games to none. Both contests have been played in Dubuque, with Culver-Stockton having outscored the Pride 67-13. The last time the two programs faced off was nearly a year ago from the day on Oct. 23, 2021. Pride QB Kenyon Williams finished the game 12-of-28 passing for 52 yards, while running back Craig Elmore picked up 106 yards on 25 carries. Linebacker Bryan Valdes and safety Kenneth Spaight led the way defensively with 12 total tackles, each. 

Culver-Stockton at a Glance

CSC (3-4, 1-0) is coming off of a 26-14 win over Graceland University last weekend. The Wildcats average 20.3 points per game and are led on offense by senior QB Jase Orndorff, who has thrown for 1,418 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sophomore RB Demarion Cobb leads the rushing attach with 254 yards and two scores on 70 carries, followed by Tyler Danzey's 235 yards on 63 rushes. Sophomore wideout Slayton Ochoa is the team's leading wide receiver with 34 receptions and 438 yards, while tying for the program lead in receiving touchdowns with Mason Hackman at three. 

Defensively, senior LB Darren Jones leads all Wildcat defenders with 46 total tackles (24 solo), while fellow linebacker Shon Jackson leads the team with seven tackles for loss. Junior defensive back David Hernandez has a team-high five interceptions, while sophomore defensive lineman Hunter Feiden leads the way with 4.5 sacks. 

Storylines to Follow

Gimme That

The Pride have forced a turnover in all seven games this season, with an interception being recorded in six of those seven contests. Junior defensive back Johel Gonzalez has his hands all over that stat, having recorded five of the nine Clarke interceptions this season, a mark that ties him for first in the NAIA. 

Buck Stops Here

What compliments a good pass defense? How about the No. 22-ranked rush defense in the country. Heading into week eight, Clarke has limited opponents to 94.7 rushing yards per game, which stands as a 131 yard improvement from last year's mark. 

Follow the Pride

For the latest information on Pride football, visit ClarkePride.com. You can also find the team on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.