Records Fall as TU Scores 91 in Trouncing of Madonna
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LIVONIA, Mich. – Taylor scored a historic win on Saturday at Madonna, setting a new Taylor University and Mid-States Football Association single-game scoring record for points scored in a 91-28 rout of the host Crusaders.
The win was also Taylor’s eighth of the year, making the 2024 squad just the fourth in TU program history to reach eight victories in a season. TU’s eight wins are the most since a program-best 10 victories in 1999 and match the 1998 and 1988 teams for the second-highest win total in program history.
Taylor also set a school and MSFA single-game record with 13 touchdowns in the romp, scoring 70-unanswered points over a 35:20 stretch of game action. The outburst turned a 14-6 lead with 5:04 left in the first into an 84-6 laugher by the 14:44 mark of the fourth.
MU (0-10, 0-4 MSFA) rallied for three touchdowns in the final quarter to snap the extended run from the Trojans and cut TU’s final margin of victory to 63 points.
TU dominated in all phases of the game, averaging 11.3 yards per snap en route to 576 total yards of offense. The Trojans picked up 191 yards through the air and 385 on the ground, ripping off 9.6 yards per carry. Taylor also racked up 238 return yards between special teams and defense, while adding four defensive takeaways and six sacks.
Damon Hockett got things going with a five-for-five showing for 119 yards and three passing touchdowns from under-center, while Dakohta Sonnichsen had two carries that each found the end zone and resulted in a total of 114 rushing yards. Sonnichsen also had a 95-yard kickoff return for a score.
Jameson Chesser found the end zone two more times for the Trojans, making a little history of his own along the way. Chesser carried the ball 10 times for 95 yards and surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the season to become the sixth player in TU program history to rush for 1,000 in a season and the first since 2008.
Kyle Turanchick shared the load with Chesser, taking the ball for 12 carries and 79 yards, with two rushing touchdowns, while Luke Etchison hauled in two passes for 68 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown reception.
Yet another record fell in the contest as Lucas Shilts went 13-for-13 in point-after attempts, marking the most PATs made in a single game in MSFA history.
On the defensive side of the ball, Jeremiah Mansfield continued tormenting opposing quarterbacks, picking up three more sacks to move into the top spot in the NAIA with 12 sacks on the season. In addition to his three sacks, Mansfield posted seven total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Aven Jones added his ninth double-figure tackling outing of the season, finishing with 10 to maintain a healthy lead on the top total in the NAIA with 121. Jones also picked up one sack to go with the 10 stops.
Joining Jones and Mansfield in getting a sack were RJ Veldman and Parker Whitby, while Jacob Hockett and Wade Jones intercepted a pass, with Jones returning his 74 yards for a pick-six.
Taylor (8-2, 3-1 MSFA) will close its regular season on Saturday, November 16 with a home clash against Concordia (5-5, 3-1 MSFA) with sole possession of second place in the MSFA Mideast League and a possible share of the league title on the line. Kickoff inside Turner Stadium is set for noon, with a Senior Day ceremony beginning at 11:40 am.
