Wildcats Fall to Second-Ranked Vikings in First Road Game of 2023

DES MOINES, Iowa – A 24-point first half by No. 2 Grand View was all that was needed to hand Baker football its first loss of the season as the Wildcats fell to the Vikings, 24-0 here Saturday afternoon in Des Moines, Iowa.

Despite the halftime deficit, the Wildcats shut out the Vikings in the second half with a couple of key stops and a turnover keeping GVU out of the end zone. The passing game was fairly even with Grand View (167) earning a slight advantage over BU (157), but the Vikings totaled 184 rushing yards to control the conference clash.

After each side had their opening drives stopped, the Vikings began their scoring midway through the first quarter on a 10-play drive that finished with a 14-yard touchdown pass to running back Avery Gates out of the backfield to put GVU up, 7-0.

Baker looked to counter on its next possession with quarterback Truman Juelsgaard hooking up with Gavin Greenwood on back-to-back plays before the sophomore from Lawrence, Kan. took off on a couple runs to get BU close to the red zone. The Wildcats would eventually try for a 51-yard field goal, but Seth Simpson's attempt floated just right of the goal post.

On the ensuing series, the Baker defense came through with a huge play at the goal line, stuffing the Vikings on 4th and short to keep it a seven-point ballgame.

After tacking on a field goal, Grand View scored its final two touchdowns in a span of five minutes late in the second quarter with Gates collecting his second touchdown catch and Tyler Vitzthum running one in to make it 24-0 in favor of the hosts right before halftime.

In the third quarter, Baker got another big play from its defense with Austin Hollins picking off a pass in the end zone to squash another GVU threat. The Vikings would turn around and force an interception of their own to halt a driving BU side.

The Wildcats looked to break through the stingy Grand View defense, but had its final drives stall in Vikings territory and failed to find the scoreboard for the first time this season.

Juelsgaard finished with 157 passing yards and 60 yards on the ground for his second straight outing with at least 60 rushing yards. Greenwood continued to be a hot target for Juelsgaard, hauling in a season-high seven catches for 75 yards to give him 16 total receptions on the year.

The Wildcats return to Baldwin City for their third and final home game in September – which will also be Homecoming for BU – as they host No. 18 Graceland on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. at Liston Stadium.

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