Football grinds out victory over Scots

MEQUON, Wis. – A frantic pace to begin Saturday's game eventually slowed down and Concordia Wisconsin used two long-sustaining drives in the second half to grind out a 26-15 victory over Alma in the NACC-MIAA Challenge Series game.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 26, Alma 15
Location: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 2-1, Alma 1-2

HOW IT HAPPENED
- There were 11 combined possessions just in the opening quarter on a beautiful afternoon at Tomasini Stadium, before things slowed down and each time had to work for every yard. The Falcons scored a pair of first-quarter touchdowns but had each extra point blocked to eventually own a 12-0 lead at halftime.
- Alma made it interesting midway through the fourth quarter by scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run to get within three points, 18-15, with 7:43 to play.
- On the ensuing possession, Concordia Wisconsin put together a 10-play, 70-yard drive that covered five minutes and 45 seconds before freshman Josh Turner (Palatine, Ill.) pounded home a 5-yard scoring run. Nixon sealed the victory with a successful two-point conversion run.
- The big story in the first quarter was Aaron Nixon connecting with Josh Sanders for 156 yards and two scores, making those in the press box start to research the all-time record for receiving yards in a game. Sanders (senior, Phoenix, Ariz.) ended with 179 yards on nine receptions in the game.
- Nixon (senior, North Prairie, Wis.) went 21-of-32 for 277 yards and two touchdowns, while also running for 55 yards and a score.
- Sophomore Dwayne Rackard III (Orlando, Fla.) led the defensive efforts with 12 tackles, while sophomore Justin Dunlap (Henderson, Nev.) recorded 10 of his own. Sophomore Josiah McDermit (Kansasville, Wis.) shined with a pair of interceptions returned for 51 total yards. Sophomore Philip Johnson (Glenview, Ill.) also recovered a fumble in the opening quarter.

GAME NOTES
- Special teams don't always make headlines, but senior Jacob Mason (Slinger, Wis.) punted well with four kicks for an average of 47.2 yards and had a long of 52 yards.
- The Falcons defense held the Scots to 153 total offensive yards in the opening half and of those 47 were through the air.

THE OPPOSITION
- Mason Ippel led the ground attack with 129 yards, while also throwing for 107 on 13-of-29 passing.
- Zach Clements punted six times and twice pinned Concordia Wisconsin inside the 20-yard line.
- Max Kretzschmar picked off a pass and Jacob Wildenhau had 1.5 tackles for loss.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin has next week off before returning to the gridiron on Saturday, September 29 at Benedictine for the NACC opener.