Damaschke accounts for 5 TDs, Football routs Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. – Concordia University Wisconsin had little trouble with Rockford University on Saturday afternoon, as it earned a 55-13 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference victory to remain unbeaten in league play. Austin Damaschke accounted for five total touchdowns and over 300 yards of total offense.

The Falcons scored on their first eight possessions and built a sizable 45-7 lead at halftime. They outgained the Regents 483-260 in total yards and the defense recorded a season-high seven sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Damaschke (junior, Bristol, Wis.) did his damage in the opening half and connected for three touchdown passes and ran for two more. He finished the day with 267 yards passing on 23-of-29 attempts and ran for 68 yards on seven attempts.

Senior James Saunders (Riverview, Fla.) led CUW with eight receptions for 56 yards, while junior Garrett Wenzelburger (Hartland, Wis.) made eight grabs for 42 yards and a touchdown. Senior Cody Johnson (Brookfield, Wis.) hauled in three passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Junior Dylan Krivoshein's (Cedarburg, Wis.) only reception was a 52-yarder for a score.

Sophomore Andrew Gatz (Adell, Wis.) had 56 rushing yards and a touchdown, including a career-long run of 42 yards.

The Falcons (6-2, 4-0 NACC) were superb in the road contest, as senior Vince Denor (Whitelaw, Wis.) and junior Uzziel McDermit (Kansasville, Wis.) each recorded a career-high two sacks.

As a unit, they held RU (1-7, 0-4 NACC) to an impressive 66 rushing yards on 41 attempts (1.6 yards per carry). In addition, Regents quarterbacks completed just 19-of-36 attempts for 194 yards.

McDermit also forced a fumble, which was recovered and returned by senior Taylor Witty (Milwaukee, Wis.) for a 22-yard score.

CUW scored on eight of its 12 possessions in the game and has scored over 45 points in four-consecutive games. Also, Damaschke is now just 39 yards shy of owning the NACC career record for total yards.

The Falcons return to the field on Saturday, Nov. 9 for their final home game of the regular season against Aurora University on Senior Day. If CUW can win the game it will clinch the NACC title and earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.