LINCOLN, Neb. (Oct. 22, 2022) - Jeremiah Powell hauled in three touchdown catches, but it was a balanced attack for the Buena Vista football team on Saturday that helped lead the Beavers to a big 42-25 road win at Neb. Wesleyan.

BVU outgained the Prairie Wolves 215-35 on the ground, including a career-high 110 yards from tailback Michael Odom on just 10 carries. Mason Griffith was close behind with 99 yards. Quarterback Zach Herrera completed 29-of-43 pass attempts for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

The Prairie Wolves jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on the second play oft the game with a 77-yard touchdown pass and held that same cushion until the start of the second quarter when BVU tied things up with a one-yard touchdown run from Dolan Pospichal that capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive. Herrera tossed the first of his three touchdown passes with five minutes left in the half when he connected from nine-yards out to Jeremiah Powell.

NWU did rally to even things at 14-14 with just over two minutes left only to see the Beavers come right back to go in front 21-14 at the half after a 21-yard touchdown pass to Powell with 23 seconds to play.

The Prairie Wolves made it 21-17 with a field goal early in the second half and that's how things stood until BVU began the fourth quarter with a 20-yard touchdown catch by Powell followed by a 55-yard scamper from Odom that made it 35-17 with 8:35 to play. NWU scored its final touchdown of the contest before RJ Rojas recorded a pick-six from 25-yards out for the game's final score.

"Our guys played really well in all three phases," said BVU head coach Grant Mollring. "Our defense was able to pressure Carter Terry and slow down their running back. Offensively, we were able to get Mason and Michael going in the run game which freed up some things in the passing game. Our offensive line played at a high level throughout four quarters. I was really pleased with our preparation by both our coaches and our players this past week. A good week of practice led up to us playing well and picking up another ARC win."

Powell finished with 102 yards on seven catches to lead BVU while Dylan Laughlin added 95 on his seven grabs. 

Nick Moorshead's eight total tackles helped lead the defensive unit with Rojas adding 2.5 tackles for a loss and a pair of breakups to go along with his first interception of the year.

Buena Vista improves to 3-5 on the year (2-4 A-R-C) and will prepare to host Wartburg College next Saturday for the home finale. Kickoff inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.