Damaschke’s 5 TDs lead Football to Homecoming victory

MEQUON, Wis. – After an exciting 6-0 victory over Benedictine University last week, Concordia University Wisconsin took that momentum into Saturday's game versus Maranatha Baptist Bible College, winning 55-8 during Northern Athletics Conference play in front of a boisterous Homecoming and alumni crowd at Tomasini Stadium.

The Falcons got off to a slow start offensively until the 3:46 mark of the first quarter when quarterback Austin Damaschke (sophomore, Bristol, Wis.) connected with sophomore Garrett Wenzelburger (Hartland, Wis.) for a 2-yard touchdown pass. Damaschke continued his strong play in the first half by leading the Falcons to two more scores, running four yards for a touchdown and tossing a 35-yard bomb to freshman LaCurt Evans (Bloomingdale, Ill.). The Falcons went in to halftime leading 20-0.

With the game still in reach for the Crusaders (0-5, 0-2 NAC) going in to the second half, the Falcons offense came out in full-throttle mode during the third quarter, scoring on their first three possessions averaging 47 yards per drive.

Damaschke threw four touchdowns and finished 19-of-24 for 314 yards. He also had six carries for 15 yards and touchdown. Sophomore Dylan Krivoshein (Cedarburg, Wis.) and junior James Saunders (Riverview, Fla.) combined for 10 receptions and 185 yards.

For the game, the Falcons balanced offense amassed 460 total yards – 340 passing, 120 rushing – on 61 plays even though they held the ball for just 26:39 compared to the Crusaders 33:21.

Defensively the Falcons were just as consistent as the offense, holding the Crusaders to 255 total yards – 176 passing and 79 rushing. MBBC quarterback Brandon McCormick was intercepted by cornerback Shannon Smith (Brandon, Fla.) with 41 seconds to play in the third quarter for a 69-yard return for a touchdown.

The CUW defense amassed 74 total tackles with 27 different Falcons recording a tackle. Senior Matt Upson (New Berlin, Wis.) led the way with nine tackles, 4 solo and 5 assisted, followed by senior Anthony Hoitink (Sheboygan, Wis.) and sophomore Brett Waldorf (Hartford, Wis.) with six tackles apiece.

MBBC put points on the board late in the game with an 8-yard pass from McCormick to Joseph Manion with 1:53 left in the game. McCormick finished the game 20-of-36 for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The Falcons (3-2, 2-0 NAC) are on a three-game winning streak heading in to next Saturday's rivalry matchup up against Concordia University Chicago at Tomasini Stadium. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.