WHITING, IND. - The Eagles' defense showed out as Midway defeated Calumet College 38-24 in their season opener at Ray P. Gallivan Field at Jeff Cain Stadium Saturday evening.
Mike Anderson recorded his second career interception in the second quarter. He took it back for a 25-yard pick six, putting the Eagles up two scores late in the first half.
"Meticulous," said Anderson on his identity on the field. "I'm trying to bait the quarterback into throwing the ball somewhere where he thinks I'm not going to be, or hitting somebody harder than they probably expect, being a guy of my frame."
Midway's (1-0) defense dominated the first half, holding the Calumet College of St. Joseph (0-1) offense to three points and not allowing their offense to advance to the red zone on any of their drives.
In 15 attempts, freshman running back Bayubahe Benit recorded a game-high 53 yards on the ground (3.53 avg.).
"[Benit] is really kind of taking the lead for us as that lead back," said Head Coach Krae Kelso. "Offensively, we are looking for him to have a big role for us."
Kaleb Chase had a game-high six solo tackles. Chase also finished the game with the most tackles with eight.
A blocked punt by Keegan Hill gave the Eagles offense the ball on the Crimson Wave 24-yard line. Midway scored their first touchdown of the game off of this opportunity. A two-yard rush by Duri Trahan. This was his first career touchdown.
Trenton Leach recorded a game-high two sacks. Leach recorded three solo tackles, totaling seven tackles. Including 2.5 tackles for loss totaling 14 yards lost.
Both the Crimson Wave and Eagles traded consecutive touchdown drives in the second half. Eagles wide receiver Tanner Sullivan caught a 13-yard pass from Christian Carter. CCSJ answered back less than a minute later with a Zayne Guthrie 63-yard touchdown pass to Tre Simmons. Midway then answered with a 60-yard touchdown of their own less than a minute later. Isiah Mattingly received that touchdown pass from Carter.
Carter tossed three touchdown passes and recorded 173 yards in 11 completions (15.7 avg.). He also ran for 31 yards on six attempts (5.2 avg.).
Simmons had game-highs in both receptions and receiving yards. He totaled 116 yards on 10 receptions (11.6 avg.).
With five minutes left in the first quarter, a high snap by CCSJ on their 12-yard line goes into their end zone, recovered by the Crimson Wave for a safety and the Eagles first points of the game.
The Eagles went up 22-3 to finish the first half thanks to a Carter 34-yard pass caught by Chase Williams running a deep vertical on a 4th & 15.
Midway starts off the young season 1-0.
UP NEXT:
The Eagles host Bellarmine University in their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. Tune into the Midway Sprint Football Show later this week as we recap today's win and preview next weeks game.
About Midway University Athletics
Midway University competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and its 29 athletics teams are part of the River States Conference, Mid-South Conference, the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, and USA Archery. For more information about Midway University Athletics, please visit www.gomidwayeagles.com or contact Tyler Beck at 859-846-5366.
