LAMONI, Iowa – William Woods University (0-2, 0-0 HAAC) dropped its first road game of the 2025 season, falling to Graceland University (1-0, 0-0 HAAC), 71-28. Despite the loss, the second-year program showed continued signs of progress throughout the contest. 

Graceland wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard, scoring on the first play of its opening drive with a 70-yard touchdown pass to standout receiver Gerald Monroe. The senior is coming off a record-setting 2024 season, where he racked up over 1,500 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in just 10 games. 

The Yellowjackets kept their foot on the gas, scoring 27 unanswered points before William Woods got on the board. The Owls responded with a five-play, 65-yard drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown reception from Jorden Matlock, cutting the deficit to 27-6. Another Woods touchdown early in the second quarter brought the score to 34-12. 

Graceland then surged ahead, piling on 34 more unanswered points. Freshman kicker Malachi Smith broke the run with a 38-yard field goal, trimming the Yellowjacket lead to 43. 

The Owls added their third touchdown early in the fourth quarter with a quick 46-yard drive. Quarterback Gabe Serri found newcomer Lawrence Shadd on an eight-yard strike, and Justin Sharkey hammered home the extra point to make it 71-22. 

Woods snagged the last points of the game on a one-yard rush by quarterback Gabe Serri to cap the day on a 71-28 loss to the Yellowjackets.  

William Woods will return home next week to face Culver-Stockton College at the North Campus Athletic Complex. It will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. under the lights. 

Gabe Serri 10-16 137 yds 1 TD 

Clayton Byer 11-25 130 yds 3 INT 

Bryson Neely 6 rec 95 yds 

Lawrence Shadd 2 rec 16 yds 1 TD 

Jorden Matlock 1 rec 18 yds 1 TD