Baldwin ? Change has been very good for Baker University’s football team, and it showed Saturday night.

The Wildcats took the field with a relatively new cast and walked away with plenty of noteworthy cameos to go along with a 34-24 victory against Evangel University.

First-year Baker coach Mike Grossner was quick to point out that it was the first time any of Baker’s players ever had toppled the Crusaders. The Wildcats (1-0) opened last year with a 28-15 loss at Evangel (0-1).

“All the hard work came to fruition,” Grossner said of his team. “They got a lot of heart.”

They also got a lot of big plays that ultimately kept the scoreboard in their favor.

Junior quarterback Brian Sheppard, a junior transfer from Southeastern Louisiana University, turned in a stunning performance by going 21-for-34 with 337 yards, including two touchdowns to Ryan Pitts.

Sheppard sounded like the son of the quarterback coach in the NFL (which his father, Mike, is for the New Orleans Saints).

“All I know is I threw two picks,” Sheppard said.

Sheppard and the rest of the new faces had their share of miscues, but for the most part big offensive plays covered them up.

“We made may too many mistakes, but you can count on mistakes with a young team,” Grossner said. “We made a lot of big plays, and that was the difference in the game.”

Baker University's Luke Thompson, right, applies pressure to Evangel University quarterback Ryan Summers during the first half. The Wildcats won, 34-24, Saturday night at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.

The Wildcats racked up 485 yards of total offense, compared to Evangel’s 330. Baker receivers Keenan Ganz and Ryan Pitts each went over 100 yards receiving.

Senior John Reeves had 14 carries for 78 yards and two TDs. Reeves had been suffering from a hamstring injury and didn’t know whether he would play.

“We expected to win from day one,” Sheppard said. “It’s nothing against the other team. It’s just that they’re very confident, and everyone is doing their part to get the job done.”