Baldwin ? New field. Tough foe.

That’s the storyline in a nutshell for Baker University’s football team as it prepares for its home opener against Graceland, the No. 16-ranked team in this week’s NAIA poll.

“It should be fun,” BU coach Mike Grossner said. “I don’t think we need to motivate them. We are excited to play at home on our new turf.”

Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. at Liston Stadium. The venerable facility’s field was converted from grass to artificial turf during the summer.

The ‘Cats opened last Saturday with a satisfying 17-13 victory over Benedictine in Atchison – Baker’s first victory over the Ravens since 1999. In that victory, BU forced five turnovers – three fumbles and two interceptions – while coughing the ball up only once.

Mack Brown, a red-shirt freshman transfer from Colorado University, completed 14 of 31 passes in his first start. The Shawnee Mission North product had touchdown passes of one and seven yards, and added 36 yards on six rushing attempts.

Graceland shared the Heart of America Athletic Conference championship with Evangel last season. The Yellow Jackets plunked Avila, 24-7, in their season opener.

Baker will travel to Liberty, Mo., next Saturday to tangle with William Jewell.