BALDWIN CITY, Kan. –The fifth-ranked Baker Wildcats opened the season against another team with high expectations in number 6 Grand View University, and won handily, 36-13.
This marks the second-straight season the Wildcats have opened up its season with a win over Grand View, they defeated the Vikings, 20-15, last season.
The Wildcats were able to take control of the game early, scoring on their first possession to take a 6-0 lead.
The Wildcat defense also dominated for most of the first half, holding the Vikings to 126 total yards and picking off two Jordan Knock passes.
Logan Brettell used his legs to put the first two touchdowns on the board for Baker, the first from 11-yards out, and another from 10 yards later in the first quarter to make the score 13-0.
He also passed for 371 yards, 279 of those coming in the first half.
Clarence Clark went 1-of-2 on field goals, with a 46-yarder connecting in the first quarter to put the Wildcats up 16-0.
The biggest play of the first half came on a screen pass to Damon Nolan, who shook a tackle and ran for an 80-yard touchdown, giving the Wildcats 23 points in the first quarter.
The Wildcats held the Vikings scoreless until 1:36 in the second quarter, when Travien Smith ran in a two-yard touchdown.
Grand View was helped on the drive by two Baker pass interference penalties, but the Wildcats stormed back to score before halftime on a 14-yard pass to Ladai Shawn Boose to put Baker up 29-7 at the end of the first half.
The Wildcats had 12 penalties on the day for 116 yards, compared to Grand View’s nine penalties for 69 yards.
Both teams were held scoreless for most of the third quarter, before Brettell ran in his third touchdown of the game, this one from 23 yards out to give Baker a 36-7 lead.
Cornell Brown carried the load for the Wildcats offensively, touching the ball 24 times and gaining 125 yards. Nolan led the Wildcats with 161 receiving yards on six catches.
Grand View quarterback Jordan Knock went 25-48 for 206 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. That touchdown pass came in the fourth quarter, after Grand View took possession at the Baker 28 due to a bad snap on a Baker punt attempt.
GVU had another chance to score on their last possession, but Baker’s defense came away with a goal-line stand, holding the Vikings at the one-yard line on a fourth down run by Knock. The Wildcats then ran out the clock, securing a season-opening victory.
The Wildcats will next take on Culver-Stockton College Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 inside Liston Stadium. Baker beat CSC last season 58-0.
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