A fourth-quarter rally by Central Methodist fell just short on Saturday in a 29-24 loss at MidAmerica Nazarene.

The Eagles are now 2-4 overall and 0-1 in Heart of America action.

After trailing 29-3 entering the final period, CMU nearly completed the comeback before being stopped on a goal line stand as the game ended.

Central fell behind 27-0 until breaking through just before halftime. After getting the ball on the 35-yard line, quarterback Jordan Rowe hit Tobias Williams for a six-yard gain. Two plays later, Rowe rushed for a 12-yard gain on third-and-one. Facing a third-and-10 on the MNU 44-yard line, Kason Clark scampered for 21 yards. 

Central completed a pass on second-and-nine before Rowe gained another nine yards on the ground. With just five ticks on the clock, the Eagles called timeout, and Cristobal Salgado connected on a 21-yard field goal with one second remaining before the break.

Central trailed 29-3 prior to getting the ball back on the 35-yard line. Looking at a third-and-12, Rowe took off and rushed for a 33-yard gain. He hit Dakota Troost for a 14-yard strike, putting the ball inside the red zone at the 15-yard line. The Eagles pushed forward and had first-and-goal at the 4-yard line. Two straight rushes by Andrew Bolden resulted in the Eagles’ first touchdown of the day. Salgado’s extra point made it 29-10 and completed the nine-play drive that took 3:30 off the clock and covered 65 yards.

The Eagles quickly forced a three-and-out and got the ball back on the 31-yard line after a punt. Elijah Owens hauled in a 36-yard pass from Rowe. The two connected for a 10-yard gain on the ensuing play. Moments later, Central faced a fourth-and-seven, but Rowe drilled a pass to Troost for a 17-yard gain. Three plays later, Rowe rumbled into the end zone. Salgado made it 29-17 as the Eagles began to rally.

Another quick three-and-out by MidAm allowed Central to take over at its own 20-yard line. Just six plays later, the Eagles found paydirt again. Troost was on the receiving end of a 34-yard pass from Rowe. Salgado’s extra point then made it a five-point game, 29-24. 

Central forced a punt just 47 seconds later and got the ball back again, this time on its own 28-yard line. Rowe went 16 yards on third down, keeping the drive alive. A 10-yard gain, a pass interference call, and a chunk play of 16 yards on a pass to Ayden Bryant moved the ball to the 9-yard line. Rowe took the ball to the 4-yard line on a five-yard gain, but a false start put the ball on the nine-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the nine, a pass interference call set up the Eagles with first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. Rowe took the snap and rushed for a yard on the final play and was stopped just short at the 1-yard line.

For the game, Central had 31 first downs. The team converted eight-of-18 third downs and racked up 489 yards of total offense, averaging 5.6 yards per play. The Eagles threw for 223 yards and rushed for 266 yards. 

Rowe went 23-of-38 for 223 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also rushed for 147 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown. Clark rushed for 111 yards on 21 attempts, while Bolden had a touchdown run. 

Troost hauled in six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Owens had three catches for 62 yards. 

Anthony Schembri had four punts for a 36.5 average and placed two inside the 20-yard line. He had a long of 50 yards.

Treyvion Hourel Jr. and Ashton Fowler led the defense with five stops apiece. Each had a tackle for loss. Hourel Jr. forced a fumble, and Braylon Hawkins recorded a fumble recovery.

The Eagles return home to host No. 4 Benedictine (5-1) under the lights at Davis Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. The Ravens have won five straight games, including a two-point nailbiter last week against Baker University 34-32 in conference action.