Box Score
 
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Truman Football team scored in all three phases of the game with a punt return and two pick sixes in a 38-7 blowout over Valparaiso University on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Bulldogs move to 3-0 for the first time since 2012 and 3-0 for only the fifth time since 1961. In 2012, Truman defeated Southwest Baptist, Lincoln and Northwestern Oklahoma for the perfect start. The other years in which Truman started 3-0 are 1994 (won first eight games), 1992, 1965 and 1961.
 
Jaden Barr got the scoring started early as he connected with Jake Ellis for a 44-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter. Josh Scheiderer added a 29-yard field goal at the end of the quarter to make it 10-0.
 
Spencer Newell returned his first punt for a touchdown when he went 71 yards at the 13:54 mark of the second quarter. It was the third straight week for a special team's touchdown by the Bulldogs.
 
Truman took that 17-0 lead into the locker room and had a decisive advantage in stats.  The Bulldogs outgained Valpo 170-39 in the first 30 minutes with the Crusaders recording only two first downs in the period.
 
Jordan Salima scored his first TD of the season on a two-yard run at the 8:48 mark of the third quarter to extend the lead to 24-0.
 
The defense got into the scoring act for the next two scores. Lawrence Woods struck again with a 32-yard interception on the Crusaders next possession then later true freshman and Kirksville native Tanner Lain snatched a ball out of the air and raced 34-yards for a TD to give Truman a 38-0 lead.
 
Valpo got on the scoreboard with 6:51 left in the game when Jimmy Seewald hit Trey Stablein for a 16-yard pass.
 
Truman needed only 272 yards of total offense with 126 on the ground and 146 in the air. Salima led Truman in rushing with 63 yards on 11 carries and Barr added another 47 on 11 attempts. Barr finished 13-of-22 for 122 yards.
 
The Bulldog special teams put up 214 yards on the day with 132 yards on seven punt returns and 82 yards on a pair of kick returns. Adding to the totals were a 32-yard punt return by Drew Hill and a 60-yard kick return by Jaylin Jefferson.
 
Truman will open up Great Lakes Valley Conference play next Saturday at rival Quincy. The Hawks were dealt a 33-7 loss by Wayne (Mich.) State in their home opener on Saturday. Kickoff from QU Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.