Fierce Defensive Effort Propels Football to PFL Opening Victory, 17-5, Over Valpo

BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD, Ky. -- An incredibly fierce defensive effort, led by 4.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks by end Noah Benza, propelled the Morehead State football team to a 17-5 home win Saturday over Valparaiso to begin Pioneer League play.

MSU (3-2/1-0 PFL) limited the Beacons to only three offensive points as they also blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety. MSU piled up a season-best 14 tackles for loss, including nine sacks. That was the highest single-game sack total for an Eagle team since at least the 2005 season.

MSU upped its series lead over Valpo to 25-5 all-time.

Watch Benza discuss his performance below.



The Eagles, who also rank in the top 20 in the nation in interceptions, came away with two more today. Safety Matthew McClelland upped his season total to a nation-leading four, while linebacker Branden Stearman collected his first MSU pickoff. 

The defensive effort allowed only 126 total yards to the Beacons and just 35 rushing yards. Valpo averaged just 2.2 yards per play and punted five times while only managing 3-of-13 on third-down tries and 0-for-3 on fourth downs.

Defensive back Jihad McCall led the unit with 10 total stops, including 1.5 for losses, while linebacker Kylin Macklin came up with two sacks. Linebacker Zane Porter also had eight stops and 1.5 in the backfield.

While the Eagles' offensive numbers didn't jump off the page with 216 total yards, that unit took advantage of some big play opportunities. Quarterback Carter Cravens returned to huis starting role after missing nearly the whole first part of the year and threw for two touchdowns. He hit wideout Bradley West just two minutes into the game for a 44-yard scoring strike. That followed a 50-yard pitch and catch to wide receiver Nate Garnett to set up the TD.

With the defense holding Valpo out of the end zone, Cravens and Garnett hooked up again in the fourth quarter on a 25-yard scoring pass with 13:14 left in the game that closed out the scoring at 17-5.

MSU did turn the ball over on downs with 1:54 left, giving Valpo one last hope, but Benza made sure it didn't keep those hopes up for long. He registered two of his sacks on the possession, including a seven-yard loss on a fourth down and 20 situation. He also had a 10-yard sack on second down on that series.

Rushing-wise, running back James Louis had 60 yards, while fellow back Isaac Stopke contributed 42. 

Morehead State, which also ranks among the best FCS teams in turnover margin, had the two takeaways and did not lose a turnover itself.