Football uses big first half lead, weather to its advantage in NACC win

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin jumped out a big 31-7 lead by using the gusty winds to its advantage, going with the wind to score two passing and two rushing touchdowns by halftime. Concordia Chicago made things interesting late in the fourth quarter, but the Falcons held on for a 45-34 victory on Saturday.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia Wisconsin 45, Concordia Chicago 34
Location: Tomasini Stadium (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 6-1, 4-0 NACC; Concordia Chicago 1-6, 0-4 NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Concordia Chicago won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, which allowed Concordia Wisconsin to choose the direction in which it wanted to go on the field. It was an important decision because 20-plus mile-an-hour winds – gusting near 30 – created a field position advantage for the hosts.
- The Falcons scored on four consecutive possessions and three of those started in Cougars territory because punting was near impossible. A comfortable 31-7 lead at halftime was enough momentum that carried deep into the game.
- Concordia Wisconsin also went for it on fourth down five times, converting three, while also holding an 11-minute advantage on time of possession.
- Senior Aaron Nixon (North Prairie, Wis.) was 17-of-37 for 165 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 50 yards and a score. Freshman Josh Turner (Palatine, Ill.) had a rushing score and 38 yards.
- There were eight Falcon receivers with a catch and four with three. Overall, a trio of receivers hauled in a touchdown pass.
- Defensively, freshman Josiah McDermit (Kansasville, Wis.) and sophomore Dwayne Rackard III. (Orlando, Fla.) each had interceptions. Sophomore Philip Johnson (Glenview, Ill.) led the team with eight tackles.
- Jordan Sepulveda had 161 passing yards and a touchdown, while Eddie Hopkins rushed for 91 yards and three touchdowns for Concordia Chicago. Eric Hoff had nine receptions for 107 yards and a score.
- Rodolfo Payan led the Cougars defense and all players with 14 tackles and Gustavo Alba had 12 tackles. As a unit, they recorded eight tackles for loss.

GAME NOTES
- To explain how difficult punting was, it should be noted that senior Jacob Mason (Slinger, Wis.) punted seven times for a 28.1 average and Concordia Chicago's Brett Krueger had eight punts for a 19.6 average.
- Over the last seven games in the series, at least one of the teams has scored 40 or more points in six of the matchups.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts Eureka in a battle of the last two undefeated programs in the NACC on October 27 at 1 pm at Tomasini Satdium.