A frantic fourth quarter rally by the Culver-Stockton College football team came up short in a 16-11 Heart of America Athletic Conference cross-divisional loss to Central Methodist University Saturday night at Ellison Poulton Stadium.

Trailing 16-0 three minutes into the final period, the Wildcats finally found some offensive success and culminated a nine-play, 69-yard drive with a seven-yard scoring strike from Brock Nellor to Dominic Herrera. Nellor connected with Isaiah Eppinger for the two-point conversion and the Wildcats had cut the lead in half at 16-8 with seven minutes to play.

On the ensuing possession, C-SC's Maddox Fraley picked off Eagle quarterback Joe Cambridge and set the Wildcat offense in CMU territory at the 40-yard line.

However, the Wildcats could only move the ball two yards and were forced to give up possession on downs with 4:37 to play in regulation.

Starting on their own 38-yard line, the Eagles gained eight yards on two running plays and faced 3^rd-and-two. After a C-SC timeout, Cambridge ran for first down yardage; however, safety Jeremiah Fergerson came late and knocked the ball out for a fumble. Devonte Jordan recovered for the Wildcats at midfield to keep the Wildcat hopes alive.

On the first play after the fumble, Nellor found Freddy Edwards for a 32-yard pass play to the Eagles' 18-yard line. But after three straight incompletions, C-SC chose to attempt a field goal and Ethan Boulanger's kick from 35 yards was good with 2:49 to play.

CMU recovered the subsequent on-side kick and took possession at the Wildcat 45-yard line. However, the Wildcat defense dug in and forced a three-and-out. The Eagles' punter Evan Workman placed the punt inside the 10-yard line and it was downed at the seven.

Needing to go 93 yards to win the game, C-SC started with a by gaining 26 yards on the first three plays to take the ball to the 33-yard line. On the next play, Nellore was sacked and fumbled. Tyler Danzey recovered for the Wildcats but now the ball was back to the 21-yuard line.

An 18-yard pass to Eppinger advanced the ball to the CSC 39, but after an incomplete pass and a delay of game penalty, the Wildcats faced fourth down at the 34-yard line. Needing nine yards to keep the game alive, Nellor found Bryan Fisher for a 19-yard gain.    

After Nellor spiked the ball to stop the clock, the Wildcats were called for a false start. However, the Eagles kept playing and were whistled for a personal foul penalty, which moved the ball to the CMU 37-yard line with 12 seconds left.

On the next play, Nellor connected with Slayton Ochoa for a six-yard gain; however, he couldn't get out of bounds and time expired on the Wildcat chances.

Nellor finished the game with 281 yards passing on 27 of 49 accuracy and one touchdown. Nellor also rushed 14 times for a game-high 72 yards.

Herrera finished with a team-high six catches for 51 yards and one touchdown, while Edwards caught three passes for a team-best 87 yards receiving.

The Wildcats (0-3) return to Poulton Stadium next Saturday, Sept. 16, to face Heart football newcomer Missouri Baptist University. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.