Fighting Saints win battle of Top 25 NAIA teams
HELENA — Carroll College found a way when they needed it most in their home opener against St. Thomas University Friday, beating the NAIA power out of Florida 26-18.
The Fighting Saints trailed 23-16 when the defense forced a safety with 1:42 to play and the offense followed it up with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Jack Prka to Chris Akulshin with 1:05 left to steal a victory in a battle of nationally ranked teams.
Prka ended up with 244 yards passing, with two touchdowns and one interception. Akulshin hauled in nine grabs for 167 yards and the key touchdown to play a huge role for the Fighting Saints.
St. Thomas entered the game ranked No. 14 in the country while the Fighting Saints were ranked No. 15.
College of Idaho 37, Montana Western 35
CALDWELL, Idaho — The College of Idaho Yotes stunned the Montana Western Bulldogs with a game-winning 25-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Andy Peters to Jon Schofield with the clock reading 0:00.
The Bulldogs rallied from down 10 points with 5:17 to play in the third to jump out to a 35-31 lead with 1:04 left when Micahel Palandri found Eli Nourse for a 33-yard touchdown pass. Nourse finished the day with six receptions for 93 yards and two touchdown grabs while Palandri was 16 of 24 through the air with 244 yards and three touchdowns.
Peters finished 23 of 39 with 335 yards passing and two touchdowns. Schofield hauled in five receptions for 94 yards and two scores.
Whitworth 42, Eastern Oregon 28
LA GRANDE, Ore. — Division III Whitworth College picked up a road win, sparked by Austin Ewing’s game-tying touchdown pass to Solo Hines with 16 seconds left in the first half.
That sparked a run of 28 unanswered points for Whitworth.
Ewing was 15 of 20 through the air for 179 pass yards and two scores. He split duties at QB with Ryan Blair, who was an efficient 9 of 11 for 149 yards with three TDs. Dillon Kuk was on the receiving end of three touchdown passes while hauling in six catches for 102 yards.
Eastern Oregon QB Quincy Glasper was 28 for 50 passing for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
NOTE: MSU-Northern took on Pacific Northwest Christian College in a scrimmage. Stats and scores were unavailable.