On a blustery, 32-degree day in Sioux City, Iowa, Morningside College’s quarterback’s arm never cooled.
A stat line featuring 384 passing yards and seven touchdowns revealed senior Ian Gilworth’s arm stayed rather warm, actually.
His accuracy – completing 23 of 28 passes – coupled with the Mustang receivers’ ability to run after the catch was the key in ending the Baker Wildcats’ hopes at a national championship Nov. 22.
Despite three scores from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics touchdown leader Richie Bryant, the Morningside offense proved to be too strong, defeating the Wildcats 65-27.
“We’ve got to get bigger, faster and stronger,” head coach Mike Grossner said of the defense. “Our team realizes what we’ve got to do in the offseason if we want to compete in the national tournament.”
The first quarter was a roller-coaster ride of emotions for the Wildcats. On Baker’s first play from scrimmage junior Brett Woods fumbled after he was corralled by two Mustang defenders, giving Morningside the ball on Baker’s 25-yard line. A fourth down stop by the Wildcats led to a turnover on downs and set up what proved to be a classic BU scoring drive.
Senior Mack Brown methodically marched his team down the field, using slot receiver Brad Fawcett for two crucial third down conversions. They found the end zone five minutes and 53 seconds later, as Brown dumped the ball to Bryant from 22 yards out for the first of his three touchdowns.
And then the coaster went on its first big drop. All-American kicker Derek Doerfler saw his extra point blocked by Morningside lineman Eric Damon, picked up by defensive player of the game Brett Nickolite and returned 98 yards to the house for two points.
With momentum on its side, Morningside drove 55 yards in just over three minutes down to the Baker two-yard line. After two unsuccessful tries to the end zone, Gilworth completed his first touchdown pass of the game to Chad Bucholz, giving the Mustangs a lead they would never relinquish.
Things went from bad to worse on the ensuing Wildcats possession as they had a punt blocked on their own 20-yard line. Morningside dove on the football three feet from the BU goal line, and running back Joe Don Hunter punched it in on the next play, extending the Mustangs’ lead to 16-6.
The home team never looked back, tacking on 11 more points in the second quarter – including a 75-yard Beau Kildow touchdown reception – and held a 37-16 advantage at halftime.
The teams traded touchdowns to open the third quarter before Gilworth proved why he is considered a top candidate for NAIA Player of the Year, throwing for two more scores.
“This is the best offense we’ve faced all year,” junior Clint Benge said. “They were a good football team.”
While the final score indicated a lopsided battle, the Wildcats were able to take some positives away from their first playoff game since 1993.
“It was still a heck of a season,” sophomore Phil Collins said. “At least we made it here.”
The offense moved the ball effectively for most of the contest as Brown threw for 274 yards and a touchdown. Bryant pounded out 85 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Doerfler also made good on two field goal attempts, including one from 50 yards that capped a 13-play drive in the second quarter.
“Our team is filled with great guys who have a lot of character,” Grossner said. “I feel bad for the four-year starters and the seniors for going out like this, but they’ve done some great things to get Baker football to where it is now.”
