Pioneers, Ravens Face Off for First Place

The matchup: #7 Benedictine (7-0, 5-0 HAAC) at #5 MidAmerica Nazarene (5-1, 4-1 HAAC), Pioneer Stadium, Olathe, Kan., 1:00 p.m.

Series history: Benedictine leads, 16-11 (BC leads 10-9 in HAAC play)

Last season's meeting: MNU 23, Benedictine 7 (10/2/10 at Benedictine)

Last week: Benedictine def. Missouri Valley, 35-19; MNU def. Southern Nazarene (Okla.), 41-17

About the Ravens: Despite its unblemished record, sole possession of first place in the conference and a win over previously 4th-ranked Missouri Valley, the Ravens still sits below the Pioneers in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Poll. That can't sit well in Atchison and will only add fuel to the Ravens' fire as the Benedictine seniors have yet to win against MNU in their careers. The Ravens are #2 in the NAIA in scoring defense (7.0), #3 in pass defense efficiency (76.1), #4 in total defense (210.9) and #5 in rushing defense (76.1). The second quarter has belonged to Benedictine this season as the Ravens have outscored the opposition, 84-3. While the front seven has dominated opposing rush offenses, the secondary has recorded an NAIA-leading 21 interceptions. Ashton Stephens is fourth in the NAIA with seven picks and is on the verge of the Ravens' all-time Top 10 list. On the other side of the ball, Bill Noonan has found his rhythm under center and played near flawless the last five games. After throwing 6 interceptions against Sterling on September 3, he has thrown just two in his last 120 attempts while tossing 15 touchdowns. Noonan has two potent weapons on the outside in Geoff Akpom (25 rec., 337 yds, 6 TDs) and Jordan Jackson (23 rec., 393 yds, 6 TDs). The rushing attack is still as effective as ever as Kevon McGrew leads the team with 520 yards while defending NAIA Offensive Player of the Week Cameron Fore has 369 yards and averages 7.5 yards per rush. Head coach Larry Wilcox has been in plenty of pressure-packed games in his career. He'll have his team ready for this one.

About the Pioneers: Since a week two loss at Missouri Valley, MidAmerica Nazarene has rolled through three oppnents with another last-minute rescue sandwiched in between. The Pioneers had little trouble disposing of Avila, Culver-Stockton and Southern Nazarene, but needed another cardiac at October 1 at Baker for a 33-30 win. The return of QB Sean Ransburg from an early-season injury has helped a great deal in the four-game winning streak. He threw for 174 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 93 yards and three scores against Southern Nazarene in his most complete performance of the season. The offense is averaging a robust 36.7 points per game and boasts league-leading numbers in total offense (423.7) and rushing offense (238.0). Head coach Jonathan Quinn has plenty of depth at running back with Greg Gates (377 yds, 4 TDs) and James Tillman (299 yds, 6 TDs) sharing the load with Ransburg while Ashford Johnson (165 yds, 2 TDs) has also seen plenty of touches. Juan Redmon may only have 19 catches for 246 yards, but he remains one of the biggest X-factors in the NAIA with his size and athleticism. Branden Phillips (26 rec., 219 yds) and Brett Houchen (20 rec., 305 yds) force opposing defenses to stay honest and open up space up front for the rushing attack. The defense is yielding just 277.5 yards per game and has given up just three rushing touchdowns while collecting 8 interceptions and forcing 9 fumbles. One of the key battles in the trenches will involve DL Brandon Smith, who is 2nd in the NAIA in sacks (8) and 12th in tackles for loss (11.5). However, he and the rest of the Pioneers' front will be up against a Benedictine offensive line that has yielded only 6 sacks this season, good for 10th in the nation.