Oct. 10, 2015 -Â The outcome of today's Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference football game in Sheboygan, WI was settled quickly. The host Lakeland College Muskies scored twice in the first quarter and then erupted for 27 points in the second quarter to defeat the Concordia-Chicago Cougars by a final score of 41-0.
The Muskies received the opening kickoff, and a big return let them set up shop in CUC territory. Michael Whitley completed three passes to move the ball into the red zone. AlthoughÂ
Sang Lee (Tucson, AZ/Canyon Del Oro)Â got to Whitley for a sack, the hosts recovered and reached the one-yard line moments later. From there, Whitley snuck into the end zone for the early 7-0 lead.
Lakeland added another seven points late in the quarter as Whitley hit Kezlow Smith from 22 yards out. Meanwhile, the Muskies' defense kept the Cougars' offense under wraps, putting quarterbackÂ
Acusio Bivona (Los Angeles, CA/Hamilton)Â under pressure and denying CUC any sort of early momentum from a rushing game.
Whitley passed for three more scores in the second quarter to extend the lead. The Muskies' pass defense also got into the act as they intercepted CUC quarterbacks a couple of times, one of which was returned 20 yards for a touchdown. The two teams went to the locker room at the half with Lakeland holding a comfortable 41-0 lead.
Neither team scored in the second half. The Cougars did move the ball on a third quarter drive in which freshmanÂ
Josh Wagner (Chicago, IL/Perspectives Math & Science)Â completed a 26-yard pass toÂ
Ryan Allison (Parkland, FL/Stoneman Douglas)Â and picked up 17 yards on three carries. However, the drive stalled at midfield as the Muskies were able to retain their shutout.
The Cougars were held to just 73 net yards while the Muskies amassed 399. Defensive leaders included, for CUC,
A.J. Seidler (West Chicago, IL/H.S.)Â with 11 total tackles (nine solo) andÂ
Ivan Vixamar (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Westminster Academy)Â with eight total tackles including 1.5 sacks for minus-14 yards. For Lakeland, Josh Schneider had five total tackles including 3.5 for minus-14 yards.
Concordia-Chicago (2-3, 0-2 NACC) will begin a three-game homestand next Saturday, Oct. 17 when they welcome Aurora University to Concordia Stadium.
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