Football shut down by NACC-leader Lakeland

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – In a must win game to keep its hopes alive for at least a share of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title, Concordia University Wisconsin was shut down in a 27-10 loss at Lakeland College on Saturday afternoon. The loss also returned the coveted Cheese Bowl trophy back to the Muskies, who hadn't won it in four years.

The Falcons entered as the fifth-best offensive team in the nation averaging over 522 total yards, but the Muskies held them to a season-low 251 yards. CUW also turned the ball over three times (two interceptions, one fumble), as its offense had six possessions of 3-and-out and converted just 5-of-19 on third down attempts.

The momentum swung in the third quarter towards LC after it held the ball for over 11 minutes and limited CUW to just 32 yards of offense on 11 plays. The Falcons did all they could against the Muskies (top ranked defense in the NACC), but were stifled and gained just 88 yards in the second half. They had -14 rushing yards and 101 yards passing and two interceptions when they desperately needed to put points on the scoreboard. CUW's wide receiving corps are usually a strength, but were lack luster with 12 dropped passes.

Defensively, the Falcons run defense was ranked at the bottom of the NACC stats entering the game, but stood out and limited the Muskies' Kendrick Burns to 83 rushing yards on 35 carries for a measley 2.4 yard average. Overall, LC had just 115 yards on 44 carries (2.6 yards per carry average).

Sophomore wide receiver Derrick Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) found senior quarterback Austin Damaschke (Bristol, Wis.) for a 12-yard touchdown on a trick play in the first quarter and senior David Gonzalez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) kicked a 26-yard field goal to get the Falcons within 13-10 before halftime.

LC quarterback A.J. Veloz impressed with three touchdown passes all coming on fourth down attempts. He also rush for a touchdown and finished with 263 total yards to keep the Muskies atop the NACC standings as the lone undefeated team.

Damaschke ended with 187 yards passing on 20-of-54 passing and two interceptions, while leading the team in rushing with 26 yards. Sophomore Dominic Saragaglia (Schaumburg, Ill.) hauled in seven passes for 91 yards. Five other Falcons had at least two catches for 25 yards.

Senior Hunter Breunig (Lodi, Wis.) punted a season-high eight times for 320 yards (40.0 average) and pinned the Muskies inside the 20-yard line three times. He also had two punts over 50 yards.

Sophomore Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) led all players with 12 tackles (10 solo) and had two pass breakups. Senior Uzziel McDermit (Kansasville, Wis.) recorded eight tackles (seven solo), while sophomore James Thomsen (Mount Prospect, Ill.) had seven tackles (three solo).

The Muskies (6-3, 5-0 NACC) were led by Veloz who passed for 241 yards on 20-of-39 attempts for three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 22 yards and a score. Kezlow Smith had seven catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns to lead all receivers.

Yaphay Harvey recorded six solo tackles, two pass breakups and forced a fumble for LC, while Kevyn Lewis and Dajuan Darling each had an interception. Romain Johnson had the game's only sack.

CUW (5-4, 3-2 NACC) concludes its season on Saturday, Nov. 15 with a 1 p.m. NACC game at Wisconsin Lutheran College.