Mustangs steal 20-17 win over No. 7 Benedictine in season opener

ATCHISON, Kan. – It took until the final minute, but the Morningside football team got the 2023 season started the right way with a 20-17 win over No. 7 Benedictine in Atchison, Kansas Saturday afternoon.

There were four lead changes on the day as the two sides traded blows throughout the afternoon, but the final lead change, a 12-yard run from quarterback Lennx Brown with 54 seconds left, was the final blow in the win.

Benedictine took a 10-7 lead into the half, as Morningside's starting quarterback, Cash Parker, threw a 49-yard touchdown to Joshua Simmons to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead, but 10 points in the second quarter from the Ravens gave them the lead at the break. 

With Brown at quarterback to start the second half, the Mustangs marched down the field and scored on a Ryan Cole touchdown to take a 13-10 lead. Benedictine returned the favor in the fourth quarter, as the Ravens took a 17-13 lead with 8:40 to play. 

The two sides traded possessions, and the Mustangs got the ball with just over four minutes to play. Brown led another methodical drive, resulting in the game-winning touchdown. Benedictine had one final possession to try and pull out a win, but four straight pass plays resulted in three incompletions and an interception from Lonell Boyd Jr. to seal the win. 

Brown and Parker split snaps at quarterback Saturday for the Mustangs. Parker was 9-for-13 for 132 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his collegiate debut. Brown went 10-for-14 for 132 yards and an interception through the air, and added 22 carries for 114 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Cole added 36 yards and a touchdown rushing and 56 receiving yards in the win. Laken Harnly led the team with 58 yards receiving. 

Boyd Jr. had two interceptions to go with eight tackles on the day for the Morningside defense. Isaac Pingel led the defense with 10 tackles, including a sack. 

The Mustangs have an off week upcoming, then hit the road to face Hastings to open conference play Sept. 9.