Falcons control both sides of the ball in NACC win at Concordia Chicago

RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Aaron Nixon had a career game to lead the offense and the defense shined during Concordia University Wisconsin's 49-14 victory at Concordia University Chicago. The win was the first of the season for the Falcons and a positive as they began Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 49, Concordia Chicago 14
Location: River Forest, Ill.
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 1-3 (1-0 NACC), Concordia Chicago 2-2 (0-1 NACC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Falcons jumped out in front to a quick 14-0 lead after the opening quarter and extended the advantage to 21-14 by halftime.
- CUW controlled the second half by scoring four touchdowns to easily take the road victory, which was also the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opener for both teams.
- Overall, the Falcons scored 35 unanswered points over the last 31 minutes and 42 seconds of the game. They controlled both sides of the ball for their first win of the season.
- Freshman Josh Sanders (Phoenix, Ariz.) started the scoring with an 11-yard run midway through the first quarter before sophomore Aaron Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) connected with freshman Kevin Folker (Milwaukee, Wis.) for a 17-yard touchdown pass to put CUW in front 14-0.
- The Cougars answered with back-to-back passing touchdowns from Acusio Bivona to Ryan Allison on 24 and 27 yard plays to knot the scoreboard at 14-14.
- CUW answered on the next drive with an Andrew Gatz 66-yard touchdown reception from Nixon to push the visitors in front 21-14 before halftime.
- The Falcons dominated the second half, scoring three times through the air and once on the ground.
- Junior Derrick Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) hauled in a Nixon 3-yard pass for a touchdown on their first possession of the second half before Nixon scored a touchdown himself on a 7-yard run.
- Junior Adedeji Giwa (Streamwood, Ill.) grabbed a 19-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the fourth quarter and Estfan caught his second touchdown of the game, a 10-yard score on the next possession.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Falcons dominated the total offensive yards battle with 467 – 358 passing – and allowed the Cougars to gain just 279 total offensive yards. The offensive production was the best of the season in numerous statistical categories.
- CUW averaged 6.0 yards per play, while holding CUC to just 3.2 yards per play.
- An area the Falcons struggled in during the first three games of the season was on third-down conversions, but in this victory they finished an impressive 12-of-18. As well, the defense held the Cougars to just three third-down conversions on 20 attempts.
- CUW scored on three-consecutive possessions in the second half to put the game away. On the other side of the ball, the Falcons forced the Cougars to punt and turn the ball over on downs three times each, as well as fumble the ball twice in the second half. 
- The Falcons had a season-high 11.0 tackles for loss, resulting in 36 yards lost for the Cougars.
- Nixon had a career game passing with 358 yards and five touchdowns. He ended with a career-high 416 total offensive yards.
- Freshman Jacob Mason (Hartford, Wis.) stepped into the punting duties and averaged 50.3 yards on three attempts and finished with a net average of 46.0. He boomed a 56-yard punt and also made all seven of his PAT attempts.
- Estfan's two receiving touchdowns were a career-high. He finished with eight catches for 63 yards.
- Folker and Giwa's receiving touchdown were the first of their careers. As well, Giwa had a career game with six catches for 96 yards. Sanders rushing touchdown was the first score of his career.
- Gatz's (senior, Adell, Wis.) 66-yard touchdown reception was a career long and the first of his career.
- The Falcons had seven players record at least five tackles and three had at least two tackles for loss. In addition, three players recorded at least 1.5 sacks.
- Senior Cody Furey (Cedarburg, Wis.) ended the game with a career-best 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.
- Senior Austin Kaatz (Pewaukee, Wis.) exploded into the backfield for 3.5 tackles for loss, junior Michael Ledesma (Glendale, Ariz.) added 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and junior Kevin Kern (Arlington Heights, Ill.) recorded 2.0 sacks, all career bests.
- Sophomore Damon Mull (Hampshire, Ill.) had the Falcons only interception and returned it 13 yards.

THE OPPOSITION
- Bivona ended 7-of-27 passing for 113 yards and touchdowns, but was sacked four times.
- Jakari Cammon led all players with 119 rushing yards on 25 attempts (4.8 average).
- Alison hauled in the majority of the yards thought the air for the Cougars and finished with five receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
- Sang Lee led CUC with 10 total tackles (five solo), while A.J. Seidler recorded eight total tackles (three solo).

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- The Falcons return home for a Homecoming contest at 1 pm against Aurora at Tomasini Stadium.