MORRIS, MINN. Taking the field to open the season, the Concordia University Chicago Cougars (CUC) football team delivered a strong season opening performance, overpowering the University of Minnesota Morris Cougars (UMM) in an explosive start with a final score of 52-19.
INSIDE THE BOX
- Colton Bosch (Coopersville, Mich.) led the Cougars on the offensive end with 13 completed passes for a total of 197 yards with one interception. Along with a rushing touchdown.
- Joron Brown (St.Joseph, Mich). led on the ground with a combined 148 yards and two touchdowns.
- Korey Randle (East Moline, Ill.) finished with one touchdown and led with 70 yards with his longest reception being 34 yards.
- Kadin Stroer (Warrenton, Mo.) led the defense with eight tackles and two defensive touchdowns including a pick-six and fumble recovery contributing to CUC offensively.
- On the defensive end, Tyrell Luther (Arcadia, Fla.) had a field day with two solo sacks and four tackles.
- Jeremiah Wilson (Channahon, Ill.) blocked a punt return for a 20 yard touchdown.
How is Happened
First Quarter
CUC wasted no time setting the tone. After winning the toss and choosing the endzone, UMM started their drive on their own 21, but were unable to convert on their first drive. CUC received the ball at their own 45 and Bosch sparked the offense with a pass to the left to Randle for an eight yard gain. After a couple of runs from Brown, the Cougars surged into UMM territory when Brown broke loose for a 23-yard rush. Following a UMM penalty, Bosch found the endzone on a nine yard touchdown to put CUC ahead 7-0. Despite UMM receiving the ball, the defense answered quickly, forcing UMM to punt after six snaps. CUC marched back down the field, highlighted by a 14 yard pass to
Kevon Lawson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) advancing the ball. The first quarter closed with Brown rushing for six yards before Bosch would find Randle deep for a 34-yard pass. CUC closed the opening quarter with a final score of 7-0, with CUC deep in UMM territory.
Second Quarter
With an exciting start of the second quarter, Brown bolted for seven yards for a touchdown of his own extending the Cougars out to a 14-0 lead. UMM struggled to find their rhythm against a relentless Cougar defense.
Devean Shearer (Saint Charles, Ill.) made his presence felt with a tackle for loss and just moments later, Stroer intercepted the ball and returned it for a pick six, pushing the Cougar lead to 21-0. The defensive dominance continued when Wilson came up with a blocked punt, giving CUC another scoring opportunity before halftime. Wilson scooped up the ball for a 20-yard return and the Cougars extend their lead to 28-0. With a huge 69-yard return, UMM marched into CUC territory, launching for a 24-yard touchdown for their first points of the day. UMM would recover their own onside kick, but be unable to convert and give the Cougars the ball with a fresh set of downs at their own 42-yard line. Unable to convert,
Dennis Vanderplow (Livonia, Mich.) would punt for 29-yards. UMM would start their drive at the 25-yard line, but an interception from Wilson would hand things back to CUC rather quickly. Off the first drive, Bosch would find Randle for a 23-yard touchdown pushing CUC further ahead, 35-6. After a UMM drive of 10 plays and 58 yards, they found the endzone after a 17 yard catch to try to sneak back into the game. UMM would force a fumble and take the ball back where they'd add another touchdown after a 40-yard pass, closing the half with CUC still ahead 35-19.
Third Quarter
Winning the coin toss prior to the game, CUC would start the second half with the ball after an onside kick would be recovered by
Carlos Serrano (North Port, Fla.). The Cougars would advance for another first down after a 23-yard pass to
LJ Lane (Pompano Beach, Fla.) would put them on the UMM 35-yard line. Unable to find the endzone, the Cougar offense would hand things over to
Cayden Brown (Kalamazoo, Mich.) who would drive in a 26-yard field goal to extend the Cougars ahead 38-19. UMM would start at their own 40-yard line but wouldn't make it too far as a fumble forced by Luther would be recovered by Stroer for another touchdown to give CUC the 45-19 advantage. With UMM getting hte ball back at their own 22-yard line, the Cougar defense continued to play aggressive as Wilson would breakup a pass while
Adam Lambaz (Elgin, Ill.) would force a sack for a loss of 4-yards to force UMM to punt. The quarter would end with CUC holding the 45-19 lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter began with both teams trading unsuccessful possessions. UMM would get close to the endzone early on but an interception from
Mikel Harris (St. Louis, Mo.) in the endzone would prevent them from scoring and give the Cougars the ball back at the UMM 44-yard line. Four snaps later, the Cougars would be forced to punt and give UMM theball back at their own one-yard line. A long possession from UMM would allow CUC to take over at the UMM 39-yard line. Brown delivered one final explosive burst, breaking free for a 39-yard rushing touchdown to put the finishing touches on the Cougar victory. When the final whistle blew, CUC walked away with a dominant 52-19 victory, fueled by an explosive offense and a defense that consistently created momentum throughout the game.
Up Next
The Cougars will host their home opener on Saturday, September 12th as Grinnell College comes to River Forest for a 1:00 PM kickoff. Coverage can be found at cucougars.com.
