Wildcats Limit Top-Ranked Vikings After Early Surge in 24-7 Home Setback

BALDWIN CITY – Despite holding the Vikings out of the end zone for the last three quarters, (RV) Baker dropped its home matchup to No. 1 Grand View, 24-7 here Saturday afternoon at Liston Stadium.

Grand View stormed out to an early lead, scoring touchdowns on each of its first three possessions to grab a 21-0 advantage after one quarter. The Vikings would not reach the end zone again, as Baker's defense tightened and held GVU to only a 27-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.

Baker's breakthrough came just before halftime, finishing off a gritty sequence of possessions. After being stopped inches short of the goal line earlier in the quarter on a quarterback sneak, the Wildcats capitalized late when Elijah Porter grabbed BU's first interception of the season.

That takeaway set up a 13-play, 98-yard march capped by a four-yard touchdown run from Truman Juelsgaard, trimming the deficit to 21-7 at the break. Juelsgaard hit a big 33-yard pass play to Trey Trennepohl to spark the drive and followed with a 19-yard scamper to set BU up inside the red zone.

The second half featured more chances for Baker to climb back. After punting on its opening possession, the Wildcats caught a break when Grand View botched a field goal attempt.

BU's ensuing drive, however, stalled near midfield. Following the Vikings' lone field goal of the day, Baker again pieced together a drive into GVU territory, but an interception ended the scoring chance and sealed the result.

Juelsgaard carried much of the load offensively, finishing 16-for-25 passing for 114 yards while rushing 15 times for 110 yards and the lone BU touchdown. Trennepohl paced the receiving corps with four catches for 51 yards, while leading wideout Adrion Seals was limited to just 14 yards on four receptions.

Grand View's balanced offense tallied 487 total yards, including 256 on the ground. Running back Bryant Williams led the way with 11 rushes for 101 yards while also catching two passes for 89 yards and a score.

The Wildcats move to 0-3 for the first time since 2010, when the team rebounded to win seven of its final eight games to finish 7-4 overall.

Baker will head out on the road for its next matchup and will take on Missouri Valley on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 1 p.m. in Marshall, Mo.

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