Graceland Dominates Clarke, 49-7, Behind Ross's Five-Touchdown Performance

Lamoni, Iowa – Graceland University put together one of its most complete performances of the season on Saturday, dismantling Clarke University 49-7 at home to improve to 4-5 overall and 1-2 in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play.

Quarterback Cade Ross led the Yellowjackets with five touchdown passes, spreading the ball effectively to four different receivers, while the defense stifled Clarke from start to finish.

First Quarter: Fast Start Sets the Tone

Graceland wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. On the game's opening drive, Ross connected with Kristian Constantine for a 53-yard touchdown strike just 45 seconds into the contest. Jacob Collett added the extra point, giving the Yellowjackets an early 7-0 lead they would never relinquish.

Second Quarter: Offensive Explosion

The second quarter saw Graceland open the floodgates. Ross threw his second touchdown of the game to Felix Wade, a 16-yard score that doubled the lead to 14-0.

Clarke responded with a 16-yard touchdown of its own to make it 14-7, but that was as close as the Pride would get.

Graceland closed the half with back-to-back scoring drives. Ross found Adarius Thomas for a 5-yard touchdown, then followed it with a 12-yard scoring toss to Reggie Wilson. The Yellowjackets' defense ended the half on a high note with EJ Barrera recording a sack that pushed Clarke back 15 yards. Graceland entered the break with a commanding 28-7 lead.

Second Half: Defense Shuts the Door

Constantine struck again in the third quarter, hauling in his second touchdown of the day on an 18-yard reception from Ross to extend the lead to 35-7. The Yellowjackets' defense continued to clamp down, holding Clarke scoreless for the rest of the game.

In the fourth, Ross found Wilson again, this time for a 34-yard touchdown. Instead of the standard extra point, Jadan Gilliland completed a successful two-point conversion pass to Charles Phoenix, making it 43-7.

Davonte Green capped off the win with a 19-yard rushing touchdown, putting an exclamation point on a dominant performance.

Defensive Highlights

Graceland's defense was relentless all afternoon, allowing just one touchdown and forcing negative plays throughout.

• Isaiah Slaughter led the way with eight tackles, two tackles for loss (9 yards), and one interception returned for 21 yards.

• EJ Barrera posted five tackles, two sacks for 24 yards, and three tackles for loss totaling 26 yards.

Other key defensive contributors included John Mitchell, Cornel Jones, Boyd Farmer, JT Brown, Hiram Anakalea, Trayvon Thomas, Bret Whitehall, Parker Clark, and Emariye Louden.

Stat Leaders

• Tackles: Andrew Adams (Clarke) – 9

• Receptions: Reggie Wilson (Graceland) – 8

• Receiving Yards: Reggie Wilson (Graceland) – 119

• Passing Yards: Cade Ross (Graceland) – 289

• Rushing Yards: Cade Ross (Graceland) – 45

Up Next

The Yellowjackets will hit the road on Saturday, November 4, to face Culver-Stockton College. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.