Missouri Valley College scored on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 left in the game to escape Ellison Poulton Stadium with a 48-41 victory over the Culver-Stockton football team Saturday night in Canton.

The Wildcats, who battled back from a 20-point first quarter deficit after a tumultuous beginning, took its only lead of the game with 4:56 to play when Liam Thornton hit receiver Kyle Dixon with an 18-yard catch and run to go up 41-40.

After the Missouri Valley go-ahead score, C-SC took possession at their own 34-yard line. After an incomplete pass on first down, Thornton completed a five-yard pass to Jaqorian Wiggles to put the ball at the Wildcat 39.

However, that would be the final completion of the night for the Wildcats, who threw to incomplete passes on the next two plays to give the ball over on downs.

The Wildcats found themselves down 20-0 just 129 seconds into the game.

Missouri Valley scored on its first offensive play of the game, a 75-yard touchdown pass and run, and then returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown on C-SC's first possession of the game.

After the second touchdown, the Wildcats fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Vikings needed just two more plays to make it 20-0.

The Wildcats could have wilted, but the offense found its groove and marched 70 yards on 13 plays on their next possession with Jermonte Alexander using the final eight yards for a touchdown to make it 20-7.

Except for initial drive of the game, C-SC scored on every possession of the first half. Problem was, Missouri Valley also scored on every possession to keep the Wildcats at a distance.

Trailing 34-14 in the second quarter, the Wildcats got a one-yard run by Shamon Coleman with 25 seconds left in the half to pull C-SC to within 34-21.

With the Wildcats receiving the second half kickoff, momentum was clearly on the Wildcats' side. However, the Vikings' Jesse Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards to pay dirt to give the visitors a 40-21 lead at the intermission.

Each team punted on their initial drives of the second half before the Wildcats closed to within 13 points when Tajh Washington ended an 11-play, 62 yard drive with a four-yard run for the only score of the third quarter.

After a Missouri Valley punt and the Wildcats turning the ball over on downs inside Viking territory, C-SC finally forced a turnover as Caleb Johnson jumped on a fumble that was forced by Sonny Jenkins to stop a Viking drive.

C-SC took advantage, driving 62 yards on seven plays before Thornton found Dixon streaking down the seam for a 32-yard touchdown pass.

Thornton finished the day with a season-high 328 yards on 30 of 44 accuracy and two touchdowns. Dixon led all receivers with nine receptions for 140 yards.

The Wildcats forced another Viking punt and this time Deion White got a piece of Ben Bullock's punt that resulted in just a 14-yard swing leading to the go ahead score by Dixon.

Now trying to protect a lead, the Wildcats defense stiffened, and after a penalty for an ineligible player down field, the Vikings found themselves staring at a third-and-15 at their own 44-yard line.

The Wildcats got the stop it needed; however, a roughing the quarterback call gave Missouri Valley a first down and the Vikings took advantage with the game-winning score.

The Wildcat offense garnered a season-high 506 yards of total offense, including 178 yards rushing. Coleman led the running attack with 64 yards on 15 carries, while Alexander had 60 yards on nine attempts. Alexander also had four receptions for 74 yards passing.

The Wildcats (2-2) is scheduled to host William Penn University next Saturday, Sept. 27,at Poulton Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.

The Statesmen remained undefeated at 4-0 after a 37-34 victory over 12th-ranked MidAmerica Nazarene University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.