PLAINVIEW, TX – Despite putting up another 30 points offensively, the Wayland Baptist Pioneers (4-3, 3-3 SAC) wore the Texas Wesleyan (1-7, 1-5 SAC) defense out with 92 offensive plays racking up 570 yards and 34 first downs in a 41-30 victory over the Rams.

The field goal was scored on the final offensive play of the game, making the game appear slightly more lopsided than it actually was.  The Pioneers needed that field goal to put the game out of reach after Texas Wesleyan exhausted its timeouts down the stretch and didn't get a chance to tie.

The explosive Rams passing attack gutted the Pioneers for an average of 20.1 yards per reception. Le'Mant Monroe has become one of the most lethal targets in the NAIA, turning in another 200+ yard performance Saturday. Monroe caught eight balls for 220 yards and two scores, including a 54-yard strike with 13:59 to go in the second quarter to give the Rams a 13-10 lead. It gives Monroe 783 yards this season, fourth in the conference. He has at least 150 receiving yards in three of his last four games.

Erik Richards contributed 52 yards on three receptions, scoring the first of Isom's two touchdown passes with 10:57 to go in the first frame. Richards threw the 75-yard bomb to Monroe with 7:39 to go in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to eight.

Texas Wesleyan took the lead on Kade Dixon's 43-yard field goal with 2:34 to play in the first half – his second 40+ yard made field goal this season. But the Pioneers made sure to take momentum into the second half striking with 0:26 on the clock with a 30-yard score. The freshman kicker is now 5-of-9 in 2018, making one field goal in five different games.

The Rams struck back to regain the advantage with 10:05 to play in the third – a 24-yard touchdown run for Jermarcus Jones but later lost the lead, but that was the last time Texas Wesleyan would hold an advantage. De'Sean Johnson scored both touchdowns to put the Pioneers back in front, including a 22-yard run with 4:52 to go in the third, giving the Pioneers a 24-23 lead.

After Desmond Nisby ran all over the SAGU Lions last week, Nisby only managed 23 yards on 11 carries as Wayland's defensive front won in the trenches. Jones carried the rock eight times for 38 yards. Monroe added 11 yards on the ground. Isom was sacked three times, completing 12-of-24 passes for 208 yards and kept a clean sheet.

Wayland won time of possession 36:05-22:15, but Texas Wesleyan actually averaged more yards per play (6.54-6.20). Wayland converted 7-of-16 third downs and their lone fourth down attempt.

Josh Phillips led the defense with 11 tackles, Dylan Pettway added 10, Michael Miller wraped up nine and Chance Carroll recorded eight as defensive stalwarts are starting to show as the season goes along. Michael Miller forced the game's only turnover – an interception – and tacked on a 29-yard return.

WHAT'S NEXT
Texas Wesleyan returns from a two-game road trip and will complete the rest of its season at Farrington Field. The two-game home stand starts this weekend against Lyon College for Homecoming – a 2 p.m. kickoff. Lyon was one of the Rams' best opportunities to get a victory last season, but have the advantage in 2018 of coming off a bye.

The Scots are 3-5, 2-4 in conference and have had some similar results to Texas Wesleyan this season. Lyon lost a narrow game against Arizona Christian and took Wayland Baptist to four overtimes. The Scots managed a major upset over Southwest Assemblies of God on October 13 – a 37-34 victory with a game-winning field goal as time expired.