Azusa Pacific, Redlands lose first-round playoff games

Azusa Pacific and Redlands made early exits from the NCAA football playoffs, losing first-round games Saturday.

Azusa Pacific fell, 34-21, to Sioux Falls in an NCAA Division II game in Sioux Falls, S.D. Redlands was defeated by top-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor, 50-28, in a Division III game at Benton, Texas.

Quarterback Andrew Elffers threw three touchdown passes for Azusa Pacific (9-3) among his six completions, but the Cougars were ground down by Sioux Falls’ running game.

Max Mickey rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns in 22 carries for Sioux Falls, which kept the ball more than 39 minutesand held a 318-46 advantage in rushing yardage.

Elffers’ scoring passes covered 15 and 53 yards to Weston Carr and 19 yards to Ethan Zeidler.

Redlands, champion of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, held a 21-14 lead at the half, but Mary Hardin-Baylor scored 16 consecutive points in the third quarter to take command.

A 100-yard kickoff return by Kyle Kabeary brought Redlands back within striking distance, 30-28, but the Crusaders scored the final 20 points.

Mary Hardin-Baylor outgained Redlands in total yardage, 595-184, which included a 356-34 advantage in rushing.

Redlands finished the season 8-2. Mary Hardin-Baylor improved to 11-0.