Football Outmatched by No. 17 Statesman on Cold, Rainy Afternoon in Oskaloosa
OSKALOOSA, Iowa — On a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon that included moments of sleet, the Graceland University football team fell 59-20 to No. 17 William Penn University at Statesmen Community Stadium in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
With the loss, Graceland moves to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the Heart North, while William Penn improves to 9-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The Yellowjackets were shut out in the first half and trailed 31-0 at the break before finding the end zone in the third and fourth quarters.
Quarterback TJ Shanks led the Yellowjackets' offense, completing 24-of-50 passes for 340 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. He also added a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of play.
Isiah Rivers-Rodriguez had another strong outing, hauling in seven receptions for 107 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown catch early in the third quarter. Jason Wagoner caught five passes for 93 yards, and Aaron Bullock I added five receptions for 62 yards. PJ Caldwell recorded three catches for 40 yards and a 10-yard touchdown.
Graceland totaled 470 yards of offense, including 340 through the air and 130 on the ground. Weston Trapp led the rushing attack with 14 carries for 78 yards. Javon Minor and Rio Williams combined for 50 yards on the ground.
Despite the yardage, Graceland struggled on third down (4-of-18) and committed six penalties for 51 yards. William Penn took advantage, scoring 17 points in the opening quarter and returning an interception for a touchdown in the second to seize full control at halftime.
Graceland's first score came on a six-play, 74-yard drive to open the third quarter, capped by the long touchdown from Shanks to Rivers-Rodriguez. Following another Statesmen touchdown, Graceland responded with a 12-play, 66-yard series, ending with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Caldwell.
William Penn answered with three more scores in the fourth, including a 66-yard touchdown pass and two short rushing touchdowns by Destynd Loring, who finished with 26 carries for 167 yards and three scores. Graceland's final touchdown came on a 9-play, 75-yard drive, finished by Shanks' keeper.
"It all goes back to the week of practice," said head coach Phil Staback. "If you don't prepare properly, you're not going to perform — just like a test for school. We did not have a good week overall and we let the weather be a factor. The other team played better today and wanted it more. Hope we learned a lesson this week and approach this week differently."
Defensively, Zion Trimboli led all Yellowjackets with 12 total tackles, providing consistent effort from the second level. Jacob Morales followed with 11 tackles, while Hunter Brumley and Preston Clark each contributed multiple stops in the trenches.
Graceland's defense allowed 537 total yards, including 334 passing yards and 203 rushing yards. Statesmen quarterback Sterling Ramsey completed 13-of-21 passes for 334 yards and three touchdowns, adding one on the ground. The Statesmen averaged 9.3 yards per play, compared to Graceland's 5.4.
In special teams play, Cristian Chaparro handled punting duties, recording three punts with a long of 46 yards, including two downed inside William Penn territory. Rivers-Rodriguez added 82 return yards, totaling 189 all-purpose yards for the game.
The Yellowjackets were unable to convert consistently in the red zone, scoring on just 2-of-5 trips, while William Penn reached the end zone on 8-of-10 possessions. Time of possession slightly favored the Statesmen (31:17 to 28:43).
The Yellowjackets return to action on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1:00 p.m. CST, hosting Baker University at Huntsman Field in Lamoni, Iowa. The game will serve as Senior Day, honoring Graceland's graduating football student-athletes.
For more information on Graceland football and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com