Grand Canyon University kicked off its 2017 spring season with a 20-20 tie with visiting D1A opponent Santa Clara. 

Trying to shake off the rust from a long holiday break and playing without two key players who were attending the All-American camp, GCU struggled early despite playing nearly 75 percent of the first half in the Santa Clara end of the field.  Santa Clara, meanwhile, was coming off a 43-17 loss to Arizona on Saturday. 

As the game wore on GCU began to hit its stride, eventually taking the lead 20-15 with less than 15 minutes left in the match.  GCU was forced to play furious defense in a final 10-minute stretch while playing with only 14 men as the Antelopes held on for the 20-20 tie.

Both teams faced two yellow cards in the second half as the impact of the new tackle rules on tackling near the head was immediately evident.  

Santa Clara opened the first half scoring with two quick tries in the first ten minutes of the match.  GCU responded with a heavy dose of running by former HSAA and MJAA player, Darien Pickett.  Pickett made several midfield runs demonstrating power, speed and athleticism.  GCU finally got on the scoreboard with a tough inside run by flyhalf Nimer Munakash right before halftime.  Santa Clara led at the half, 10-5.

The second half was a seesaw affair as Santa Clara quickly stretched its lead to 15-5.  GCU responded with several long phase sequences and another try by Munakash, and GCU trailed 15-10. Freshman scrumhalf Avery Longrie knotted the score at 15-15 with a try in the corner.  A powerful run by Pickett, punctuated by a hurdle over the last defender, gave GCU its first lead of the match 20-15 with only 15 minutes left.  

Santa Clara showed some mettle of its own immediately responding with a try – but missed the conversion that would have put them over the top. Tied 20-20, GCU was hit with a yellow card with nine minutes left in the match.  Defending multiple attacks from Santa Clara, the Antelopes defense proved too stout and the score remained 20-20 as the final whistle sounded.

For the Broncos, Erik Winden, Asad Braswell, and Christian Ayscue al; showed well, and while they ended their two-game trip to Arizona 0-1-1, "it was a good preseason trip for the team," said Head Coach Paul Keeler. 

GCU moves on to conference play next week at home against Claremont (January 21 at 3pm) as Santa Clara faces Stanford back in the Bay area.