Defense makes a statement in road win

MINNEAPOLIS -- Defense was the name of the game on Saturday afternoon for Concordia Wisconsin, as it held Augsburg to just six first downs and forced three turnovers during a shutout 31-0 victory at Edor Nelson Field.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 31, Augsburg 0
Location: Edor Nelson Field (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 2-0, Augsburg 1-1

HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a slow opening quarter that saw neither team score, Concordia Wisconsin's defense made a statement play and the offense followed to help take a sizeable 21-0 lead at halftime. Junior Connor Stoming (Burlington, Wis.) recorded a sack-fumble of Augsburg's quarterback, which junior Dwayne Rackard III (Orlando, Fla.) fell on in the end zone for the game's opening score.
- Two drives later, junior Matt Montgomery (Hillsboro, Texas) scored on a 50-yard rush and sophomore James Linn (Chino Hills, Calif.) found sophomore Tanner Hill (Phoenix, Ariz.) from 31 yards out to give the visitors a comfortable lead.
- The Falcons defensive unit played as one and had shutout on their mind from the get-go, as they played tough all game long. If six first downs, 1-of-13 on third-down conversions, 57 total offensive yards and three turnovers doesn't impress you, then we aren't sure what will.
- Augsburg didn't convert a first down until its second possession of the third quarter. Overall, they averaged just 1.1 yards per play on 51 plays. They rushed for -13 yards on 27 carries and held the ball for 20 minutes and 32 seconds.
- Meanwhile, Linn found Hill for their second pass-and-catch score of the game in the third quarter from 10 yards. Freshman Mason Kaschinske (Fort Wayne, Ind.) capped off the scoring with a 36-yarder early in the fourth quarter.
- Stoming, freshman Jaylen Campbell and senior Isiah Shultz (Lake Station, Ind.) all had a sack, while sophomore Cameron Kohler (Westlake Village, Calif.) intercepted a pass. The Falcons had seven pass breakups and nine tackles for loss.
- Linn finished 19-of-26 for 168 yards and two touchdown passes, to go along with 102 rushing yards. Montgomery added 82 yards on the ground and his score.
- Hill hauled in six passes for 84 yards, for an average of 14.0 per catch, and his two scores making it a career day.
- Kaschinske scored seven points, making four extra points and his field goal.
- Augsburg played two quarterbacks who combined to go 10-of-24 passing for 70 yards and an interception. Derek Glynn had a game-high 12 tackles.

GAME NOTES
- The Falcons now have shutouts in consecutive seasons and seven under the direction of head coach Greg Etter. It was also the third time an Etter-led defense has allowed just one first down in a game. The six first downs allowed are the third-fewest and the 57 total offensive yards allowed are tied for the second-fewest since 2008.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin travels to Trine for the third and final non-conference game on the schedule next Saturday, with kickoff at 1 pm ET.