Back then they didnt understand the creationist rules of the game, and what you are calling debate is just a game.
Evolutionists are absolutely the wrong ones to get involved with this and the reason is simple.
Creationists want to talk about EVERYTHING but Creation, that is their game to be critical with nothing to defend. That is why they admit that they don't EVEN think its science. So to be on equal footing those debating them just need to be experts at Creationism writings and the first Book of Moses Genesis writings, not evolution.
Because Creationists refuse to come up with a ‘theory’ to defend its up to their opponent to create it for them.
Start with the two completely different Creation stories and the two completely different Flood stories, demand that they explain how all four can be scientific history when they are nothing a like.
Pretty amazing those evolutionists, with all their degrees and knowledge “didn’t understand the creationist rules of the game...” You’d think with their superior worldview, they’d mop the floor with those rubes. :)
Something else evolutionists like to do is change the terms...so they can run around with their fingers in their ears, saying “You’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re a religious nut and you’re wrong!” Such is the simple translation of their position.
Bottom line, they lose or draw even in the public arena—they don’t WIN like they thought they would.
They remind me of Brave Sir Robin.