The Culver-Stockton football team forced four turnovers and recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a 40-0 season-opening victory over Texas College Saturday afternoon at Ellison Poulton Stadium.

The victory marks the first time since 2020 when the Wildcats upended Evangel 34-17 to begin the season on a winning note. The shutout is the first by the Wildcats since a 56-0 decision over Trinity Christian in 2018.

C-SC recovered two fumbles and picked off Steers' quarterbacks two times in the game. Even though the Wildcats were able to convert just one of the turnovers into points, the miscues kept the pressure on the Texas College defense.

After turning the ball over on its first two possessions, the Wildcats finally found some footing after forcing a turnover on downs in at their own 28 yard line.

C-SC took over and moved the ball 77 yards on seven plays before Tajh Washington notched the first f his two rushing touchdowns with a three-yard run with 4:19 to play in the first quarter.

The big play of the drive was a 33-yard pass reception from Liam Thornton to Jacorian Wiggles to put the ball at the Steers 12 yard. Back-to-back offside penalties moved the ball to the three to set Washington up for the first touchdown of the season.

The Wildcats moved to the visiting seven-yard line on their next possession; however, the drive ended when the offense failed to make a yard on fourth and one.

The defense did its job and forced the Steers to punt from their five yard line. On the punt, Maddox Fraley broke through and blocked the punt. Hayden McMichael fell on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0.

The Wildcats made it 21-0 at halftime when Eli Edmonds skied over the defender to haul in a 21-yard pass from Thornton.

In the second half, Shamon Coleman netted two rushing touchdowns, from one and 16 yards, and Washington scored his second rushing touchdown of the day in the third quarter to put the game out of reach.

C-SC registered 177 yards rushing in the game and finished with 342 total yards overall. Jermonte Alexander led a balanced rushing attack with 71 yards on 10 carries while Washington totaled 54 yards on 16 attempts. Coleman had 38 yards on eight carries.

Thornton was efficient through the air, completing 12 of 18 passes for 127 yards and one touchdown. Houston Swan also got in on the act, finishing with 56 yards on 8-of-12 accuracy.

Among the receivers, Kyle Dixon did not score a touchdown but led the Wildcats with 71 yards receiving on five receptions. Edmonds had four catches for 37 yards while Wiggles had two receptions for 36 yards.

Defensively, the Wildcats limited air raid offense of Texas College to 218 total yards. The passing attack managed just 140 yards, completing 18 passes on 47 attempts,

Kaden Thomas, the reigning freshman of the year in the conference, totaled five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception and broke up two pass attempts. Meanwhile, Ryne Martin led the defense with seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

The Wildcats return to action next Saturday, Sept. 6, to face 15^th-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at the Olathe District Activity Center (ODAC).