College Football: Wesleyan Beaten in Home Opener, Other Statewide Finals:

Mount Pleasant — Missouri Baptist scored 21 unanswered points in the second half as the Spartans pulled away for a 31-7 win over Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday in Mount Pleasant. The Tigers played close for one half, trailing just 10-7 at recess, before turnovers doomed Wesleyan.

Freshman quarterback Gavin Esquivel completed 22-of-43 passes for the Tigers for 210 yards and a touchdown, but was picked twice.

His favorite target was Jaden Harris, who hauled in seven catches for 132 yards.

Braedin Ross had the lone touchdown for the Tigers.

Now 0-2, Wesleyan will try to right the ship this weekend when they take on Quincy University on the road.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

Other college football finals:

American Rivers

  • Central 46, St. Olaf 27
  • Dubuque 30, Marietta 25
  • St. Norbert 21, Loras 14
  • Coe 38, Cornell 7
  • Mary-Hardin-Baylor 84, Simpson 6
  • Gustavus Aldophus 80, Buena Vista 58
  • Wartburg 44, Monmouth 3
  • UW-Eau Claire 45, Luther 14

GPAC

  • Grandview 41, No. 17 Benedictine 20