Federico to Edwards highlights Falcons road victory

HANCOCK, Mich. – Joseph Federico and Danté Edwards connected three times through the air, as Concordia Wisconsin defeated Finlandia, 31-14, on Saturday afternoon in non-conference play. The Falcons scored on their first four possessions.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 31, Finlandia 14
Location: McAfee Field (Hancock, Mich.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 1-0, Finlandia 0-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Wisconsin jumped out to a commanding 24-0 lead just over a quarter into the game and never looked back. Finlandia got to within 24-14, but the Falcons' Joseph Federico connected with Danté Edwards for the game-sealing touchdown.
- CUW's offensive attack featured 361 yards through the air and four touchdown passes by Federico and a career game by Edwards, who had six receptions for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
- The Falcons took the ball on their first possession and marched down the field 91 yards in 10 plays during three minutes and 47 seconds. It featured a 14-yard Logan Hass first-down run and a Federico to Derrick Estfan connection covering 52 yards. Federico found Edwards for the first of their three TD contacts for six yards.
- After a defensive stand that forced the Lions into a three-and-out, Concordia Wisconsin completed five-straight passes before Federico found Hass for an eight-yard score to put the visitors ahead 14-0 late in the first quarter.
- On the first play of the second frame, Jacob Mason kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 17-0 advantage.
- It didn't take long on the next offensive possession, as CUW scored a 57-yard touchdown after Federico found Edwards with 13:35 to play before halftime.
- Finlandia's Cameron Copeland rushed in from six yards to cut the hosts deficit to 24-6 after the extra point failed.
- Copeland again put more points on the board for the Lions, after he forced a fumble on a punt and picked up the loose ball before scoring from five yards out.
- Federico and Edwards teamed up for the final of their three pass-and-catch touchdowns on a 24-yard score with 5:08 to play in the game.
- Federico (Phoenix, Ariz.) was 22-of-30 for 361 yards and four touchdowns in his first career start.
- Hass (Manawa, Wis.) rushed 10 times for a team-best 64 yards to lead the ground attack.
- Edwards (Glendale, Ariz.) impressive outing featured a career-long 57-yard reception from Federico for a TD early in the second quarter.
- Junior Kevin Folker (Milwaukee, Wis.) ended with six catches for a career-best 94 yards, while Estfan (Phoenix, Ariz.) had three receptions for 73 yards. Hass had his first career TD grab of eight yards in the opening quarter.
- Mason (sophomore, Hartford, Wis.) drilled a 26-yard field goal and punted three times for 117 yards (39.0 average).
- Defensively, junior Richie Guess (Homer Glen, Ill.) had an outstanding game with 13 tackles (six solo) and a fumble forced, which he recovered.
- Sophomore Jeffrey Arredondo (Chandler, Ariz.) had nine tackles (four solo), while senior Bryan Thomas (Lowell, Ind.) and senior Michael Ledesma (Glendale, Ariz.) accounted for seven tackles each, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- It was the second time in the last three years the Falcons have begun the season with a victory (2014 – W, 31-28 at North Park).
- CUW scored on each of its first four possessions, including three in the red zone. Each of the scoring drives last at least 57 yards, with the opening drive consisting of 10 plays for 91 yards in 3:47. The Falcons final scoring drive went 79 yards in nine plays and covered 4:06.
- The Falcons converted 3-of-4 conversions in the red zone and held the Lions to 1-of-2.
- Maxwell Fischer (Joliet, Ill.) recorded a career-best six tackles (two solo) and sophomore James Dills (Milwaukee, Wis.) registered a career-high five tackles, including a half tackle for loss. Senior Kevin Kern (Arlington Heights, Ill.) and senior Chip McKay (Hebron, Ill.) also had a career-best five tackles.
- Federico's passing percentage of 73.3 was the sixth-best in head coach Greg Etter's tenure. His performance also featured a 16.4 passing yards gained per completion and 211.7 pass efficiency rating.
- Edwards' three touchdown grabs is tied for the most by a Falcon receiver in the NACC era.
- Neither team was impressive on third-down conversions, with CUW going 5-of-11 and Finlandia finishing 6-of-15.
- One downfall of the victory for the Falcons were their 11 penalties for 119 yards.

THE OPPOSITION
- Eddie Yearby finished 17-of-32 for 221 yards and also rushed for 21 yards.
- Cavarri Morss led the rushing attack with 83 yards on 22 attempts, while Cameron Copeland scored and touchdown.
- Jacob Roux had four receptions for 69 yards.
- Nick Dwyer had a game-high-tying 13 tackles (six solo), while three of his teammates had eight tackles apiece. Jalyn Wade picked off the defense's only pass, and Cole Garen and Copeland each forced a fumble.
- James Christian returned a kickoff 67 yards.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- CUW returns to the field on Saturday, September 10 for the home opener against Augsburg at 1 pm at Tomasini Stadium. The game will also be Military Day.