By Derek Kramer
For The Herald Bulletin
ANDERSON, Ind. —
After stumbling on offense early, Taylor University scored 14 points in each of the last three quarters to defeat Anderson University in their annual rivarly game for the Wagon Wheel trophy 42-20.
“This is definitely a game to build on,” said Taylor head coach Ron Kurfmacher.
“(Taylor) is obviously a good football team,” said Anderson head coach Jeff Judge. “I’m not disappointed in our effort, but I’m disappointed in our execution.”
After the first quarter went by with neither team scoring and both struggling to find a consistent rhythm, Taylor opened the second quarter by finishing an 11-play, 93-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown run by Taylor Johnson.
Johnson ended the game with 122 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns.
Kurfmacher noted that Johnson and his receivers, Ryan Magnuson and Trento Schmale, were key performers in the game.
Magnuson had seven receptions for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Schmale had seven catches for 160 yards and one touchdown.
Taylor and Anderson each added a score of their own before the half to make the score 14-6.
This game was all truly about the passing attack of the Ravens and Trojans, who combined to throw a total of 91 passes in the game.
Taylor’s Shaun Addison set a school record for passing yards with 418. He went 19-for-31 with three touchdowns.
“He had his moments, got big chunks of yards and made some big plays,” said Korfmacher.
Mitch Grider for the Ravens also was able to put up big numbers in the game with 358 yards passing and three touchdowns completing 31 of 55 attempts.
The passing yards were a career high for Grider.
Ravens receiver Nic Jackson set a career high of his own with 172 receiving yards on seven catches with one touchdown.
Missed opportunities seemed to be the theme for the Ravens, even with all the big yardage totals by the end of the game.
“We did miss a lot of opportunities,” said Judge. “I think it’s just the inexperience of 11 guys playing together on offense. I think we’ll be much better next week.”
An attempted halfback pass was overthrown to Jackson, who was open by at least 20 yards on the play and numerous interception chances went through the hands of the Ravens’ defenders early.
Later in the game, Anthony Mann would complete another attempt at a halfback pass for 44 yards to Jackson.
Shane Peacock and Tyler Akers each caught a touchdown pass of their own in the third quarter to keep Anderson close.
At the end of the 3rd quarter, AU trailed 20-28, but Taylor added two rushing touchdowns by Johnson and Addison to put the game out of reach early in the fourth.
