Upset Bid Thwarted in Final Minutes

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BRANSON MO NEWS: William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Baldwin City, Kan.–While the sports world waited for possibly the most-hyped boxing match in history, fans at Liston Stadium were treated to an incredible undercard bout Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately in the end, the William Penn football team could not knock out the reigning Heart of America Athletic Conference South Division champion Baker in a 31-27 setback.
#23 WPU (0-1) was outgained 387-181, but rallied with 20 fourth-quarter points to take the lead with just over two minutes to go. The second-ranked Wildcats, fresh off a trip to the national title game last December, refused to be taken down on their home turf, and scored in less than one minute and held on for the win.
Things looked ominous early on for the navy and gold as Baker took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field for an early 7-0 lead.
The Statesmen suffered a quick three-and-out to give the ball back, but fortunately the defense stiffened and came up with a takeaway to help the offense catch up.
Mason Wisse (Sr., Oskaloosa, Iowa, Physical Education) forced a fumble and recovered the pigskin at the Baker 34-yard line. WPU then went with a heavy dose of Brandon Polito (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Psychology) (seven rushes) and converted on three fourth-down plays to knot the contest at 7-7 after one quarter of action. Carl Sivels (Sr., Washington, Iowa, Physical Education) eventually broke the plane of the goal line from two yards out on one of those four-down conversions.
The hosts answered with a field goal early in the second stanza, but the defenses stole the show the rest of the period as the Statesmen were down only 10-7 after 30 minutes.
WPU unfortunately did not come out of the locker room swinging as Baker started …