Pride slowed down by Baker in 45-0 loss
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - Still in search of their first victory of 2023, the Clarke University football team was unable to get much going on Saturday afternoon in a 45-0 defeat to Baker University on the road.
It was back-to-back weeks of a rough first quarter for the Pride as they gave up 21 unanswered points a week after giving up 35 in the opening frame to Benedictine as the Wildcats would progress to score fewer points in successive quarters for the remainder of the game.
CU started by receiving the opening kickoff and would run a nine-play drive to get into Baker territory before a fumbled snap led to a 15-yard loss and stalled the drive that would end in a punt. On that drive quarterback Kenyon Williams would go to the reliable target of Jackson Ostrander as they would connect four times for 43 yards including a nice 24-yard completion on a third and six where Ostrander would sky over the defensive back for a contested grab.
Ostrander was the offensive standout on a tough day for the Pride as he would finish with a team-high seven reception for 87 yards for a 12.4 yards per reception average. Williams finished with another 12-completion day as he went 12-for-24 for 163 yards as he was relieved by freshman Joshua Rico who would go 2-for-4 for 43 yards of passing.
On the other end, Baker quarterback Truman Juelsgaard had an efficient 15-for-21 day for 297 yardds and five touchdowns as he spread those five touchdowns out to four different receivers as Gavin Greenwood would catch two of the scores. The Wildcats were not one-dimmensional on offense as they also ran for 204 yards on the ground led by Rashaan Graves who picked up 81 yards on 11 carries and Juelsgaard also had 72 yards on the ground and rushing touchdown and Graves was a threat in the passing game with a team-high 86 receiving yards and touchdown.
Clarke football will be back home to Dalzell Field for their first home game against a Heart opponent when they host the Eagles of Central Methodist University for a 1:00 p.m. CT kickoff in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday, Sept. 16.