Baldwin ? Baker University coach John Frangoulis thought the soupy field on Saturday at Liston Stadium might slow MidAmerica Nazarene University, ranked No. 9 in the NAIA.

Maybe, but the mud couldn’t stop four huge Pioneer gains that each led to scores, helping undefeated MidAmerica defeat Baker, 28-14.

“I do think the field helped us a little bit more than them, but it slowed both teams,” Frangoulis said. “And on a dry field the game could have had a different story, because of their tremendous speed. But we would have been better on offense, also.”

Offense wasn’t a problem for the 7-0 Pioneers on Saturday.

MidAmerica, ranked third in the NAIA at 300 rushing yards per game, quickly went to its strength.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Greg Simpson, a transfer from Ohio State, blew past two tacklers and went untouched for an 83-yard touchdown.

“That’s the second week in a row where a team has scored on the first play,” said Frangoulis, whose squad fell to 3-5. “Big plays have been the burr in this team’s backside all season.”

Baker was without top rusher Ramon Barber, who was suspended for an undisclosed violation, but the Wildcats came right back. Baker used just three plays and a jumbo offense to push fullback Gerrad Speer into the end zone.

But then came more big plays from the Pioneers.

Baker held MidAmerica on the first drive of the second quarter and nearly had a turnover on the Pioneers’ next possession.

Wildcat defensive back Darrell Jones missed a floating pass from MidAmerica quarterback John Booth and could only watch as the ball flew into the arms of Pioneer receiver James Booth. Simpson scored on the next play from the one-yard line.

The Wildcats nearly tied the score on their last possession of the first half, but a fumbled snap by quarterback Martin Updike on a fourth-and-one inside MidAmerica territory ended the threat.

Baker’s chances didn’t improve in the second half.

A scrambling John Booth found receiver Nate Schmidt roving in the end zone, giving MidAmerica a 21-7 lead.

On MidAmerica’s next possession, Booth launched a 40-yard pass to Thomas McKinney, giving the Pioneers position inside Baker territory. MidAmerica eventually scored on another 18-yard pass from Booth, this time to Danny Harmon.

Baker, which scored its second touchdown on an interception return by Oliver Kurtz with nine minutes to play, managed only 184 offensive yards. MidAmerica rolled up 524 yards, including 313 rushing.

“It wasn’t a lack of effort, it’s never been that,” Frangoulis said.

“That’s a fine football team and when we lined up against them today, we gave ’em the best game we could.”

MidAmerica Nazarene 28, Baker 14

MANU (7-0, 7-0) 7 7 7 7 Â 28

Baker (3-5, 3-4) 7 0 0 7 Â 14

First Quarter

MANU Â Greg Simpson 83 run (Chris Borah kick) 14:36

BU Gerrad Speer 4 run (Nate Tubach kick) 5:19

Second Quarter

MANU Â Simpson 1 run (Borah kick) 10:01

Third Quarter

MANU Â Nate Schmidt 17 pass from John Booth (Borah kick) 7:11

Fourth Quarter

MANU Â Danny Harmon 18 pass from Booth (Borah kick) 14:52

BU Â Oliver Kurtz 6 interception return (Tubach kick) 9:01