Top-15 Matchup Set for No. 15 Baker in Heart Game of the Week at No. 8 MNU
BALDWIN CITY – For the second time this season, Baker football will be featured as The Heart Conference Network "Game of the Week" as the 15th-ranked Wildcats take on No. 8 MidAmerica Nazarene in a conference showdown this weekend in Olathe, Kan.
With major implications at both the conference and national level at stake, the matchup between the two top-15 teams will shake out the Heart South standings which MNU, currently, sits atop of with a 4-0 conference record. The Wildcats are 3-1 against South teams this year with their lone loss coming to No. 11 Benedictine, who the Pioneers beat last weekend.
Boasting three top-15 teams, the Heart South is setting up similarly to last season where Baker, Benedictine and MNU each earned a share of the league title, finishing as Heart South Tri-Champions. In 2023, Baker defeated MNU before falling to Benedictine and the Pioneers ensured the three-way tie with a win over the Ravens in the regular-season finale.
Last week, Baker came away with a 37-17 victory on the road at Clarke for its seventh win of the season. Truman Juelsgaard totaled three rushing touchdowns and linebacker Zac Kramer recorded his second pick-six of the season to lead BU to its fifth win over the Pride in six all-time matchups.
A year after leading the NAIA in interceptions (25) and defensive touchdowns (6), the Wildcats are once again atop the national rankings this season with eight defensive touchdowns, while their 17 interceptions rank second nationally.
The Pioneers come into the game undefeated on the season with an 8-0 record overall with four of their wins coming at home, including last week's thriller against Benedictine. MNU came out on top of a 48-47 shootout over the Ravens with an incredible finish to the game where the Pioneers defense held on a game-deciding two-point conversion with seven seconds left.
MNU is led by reigning Heart South Player of the Year Adrian Parsons who has thrown for over 2,100 yards (2,145) and 32 touchdowns, while adding 194 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Pioneers offense has scored at least 34 points in every game this year, averaging 51.5 points per game and nearly 500 yards of offense per game (499.8).
Saturday's matchup will by the 43rd meeting between the two programs with Baker leading the all-time series, 24-18. The Wildcats have won eight of the previous nine games with last year's victory coming on a 40-7 blowout at home in mid-October.
Kickoff for the Heart Game of the Week is set for 1 p.m. from the Olathe District Football Stadium in Olathe. A live stream of the game can be found on The Heart Conference Network and live stats for the game are available here. Fans can purchase an advance ticket for admission to the game here.
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