Falcons Spoil Homecoming for St. Norbert

DE PERE, Wis. – The Falcons won a thrilling overtime contest on Saturday afternoon at St. Norbert. The Falcons travel home with a 28-21 victory to improve to 6-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). For the second-straight road contest, the Falcons proved you should not schedule the Falcons on homecoming if you want to send the fans home happy.

Defense reigned supreme in the first quarter with neither team able to find the endzone.

The victory also secures a winning record for the Falcons. CUW has not had a losing season since 2017.  

The Falcons struck first in the second quarter when the reigning NACC Special Teams Player of the Week, sophomore Zach Heinen (Sand Springs, Okla.) drained a 25-yard field goal.

On the very next drive, senior Glenn Pearce (Harlem, N.Y.) intercepted a pass and returned it 35-yards for a touchdown.

The Green Knights scored in the final minute of the half to give the Falcons a 10-7 lead at halftime.

The birds marched down the field on their opening drive in the third quarter and Zach Heinen hit another 25-yard field goal.

After the Green and Gold earned an interception in the third quarter, the Falcons forced a fumble with senior Geoffrey Mazur (Baton Rouge, La.) that was recovered by freshman Jason Leonard (Tampa, Fla.).

The birds jarred the ball free again later in the quarter when junior Ben Kraft (Wauwatosa, Wis.) forced a fumble that was recovered by sophomore Justice Kaneta (Brighton, Colo.).

The Falcons took advantage of the fumble and senior James Linn (Chino Hills, Calif.) connected with junior Samuel Campbell Jr. (Milwaukee, Wis.) for a 33-yard touchdown pass.

The Green Knights did not go away and scored two touchdowns to tie the game to force overtime.

The Falcons started overtime with the ball and once again marched down the field. The drive was capped off with a one-yard rush from James Linn to put the Falcons ahead.

The Green Knights advanced the ball to the 11-yard line when senior Paul Ball (Kenosha, Wis.) sacked Richie Gilles to force the fumble that was recovered by Justice Kaneta to secure the victory.

James Linn threw for 102 yards in the victory.

Geoffrey Mazur led the rushing effort with 73 yards.

Glenn Pearce and freshman Jakyri Moore (Dallas, Texas) both had an interception in the victory.

Justice Kaneta led the Falcons with 12 tackles and two fumbles recovered.

The Falcons return to action on Saturday when they look to return the Cheese Bowl back to its rightful home in Mequon. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 against Lakeland.