Falcons Prevail in Battle of Concordias

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin football team celebrated Senior Day with a dominant 52-24 victory over Concordia Chicago, improving their record to 6-2 overall and 5-2 in Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play. The win also secured the Falcons' home record at 4-1 at Tomasini Stadium.

CUW wasted no time taking control, scoring on their opening drive in just 3:50. The Falcons marched 76 yards in eight plays, with freshman Caleb Espinoza (Pasadena, Texas) setting the tone with a pair of strong runs. Quarterback freshman Justin Clark (Goodyear, Ariz.) found fellow Jack Bradley (Tucson, Ariz.) for a key first down before Espinoza added another to keep the drive moving.

A 25-yard rush by sophomore Jacob Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.) put the Falcons in CUC territory, and a 12-yard completion from Clark to freshman Kam'Ron Pierre (Canyon County, Calif.) brought them even closer. On second and nine from the 17-yard line, Clark delivered a perfectly placed pass to senior TJ Harrold (Rosenburg, Texas) at the two-yard line, who then walked into the end zone for the touchdown. Sophomore Logan Navis (Cedar Grove, Wis.) added the extra point, and CUW led 7-0.

The Cougars responded with a field goal on their opening drive, cutting CUW's lead to 7-3.

However, the Falcons answered on their next possession, converting a third-down pass from Clark to Bradley for 16 yards, then moving into CUC territory with another completion to Harrold. The drive continued with a deep pass to Harrold, followed by a reception from junior Jason Leonard (Tampa, Fla.) that brought the ball to the 10-yard line. A run by Pugh moved the ball to the five, and two plays later, Pugh powered into the end zone behind strong blocking from the offensive line. Navis added the extra point, and CUW led 14-3 after a nine-play, 3:32 drive.

As the Cougars looked to respond, the Falcons' defense stepped up. On a CUC field-goal attempt, junior CJ Green (Madison, Wis.) broke free and blocked the 26-yard try, keeping the Cougars at just three points. CUW capitalized on the turnover with a drive that ended in a field goal from Navis, pushing their lead to 17-3.

With time winding down in the first quarter, the Cougars again turned the ball over as senior Gio Nowotarski (Reading, Pa.) made a great play to intercept a pass. Despite this setback, the Cougars scored their first touchdown of the day on the next drive, cutting the lead to 17-10.

But the Falcons answered immediately, needing only five plays and 1:13 to go 65 yards for another touchdown. Clark and Bradley connected on a 38-yard pass down the left sideline, setting up the Falcons inside the 20-yard line. A short pass to Harrold put the Falcons on the two-yard line, where Pugh scored his second touchdown of the day. After the extra point, CUW led 24-10.

Before the half ended, CUW's defense came up big again, forcing a turnover on downs. With 18 seconds remaining in the half, Clark found junior Kevin Lunz (Streamwood, Ill.) in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown, bringing the score to 31-10 as the teams went into the locker room.

The Falcons picked up where they left off in the second half. On the third play after the break, sophomore Adonis Roberts (Hammond, Ind.) intercepted a CUC pass and nearly returned it for a touchdown before being stopped at the 18-yard line. Three plays later, Clark found Jack Bradley open in the end zone for another touchdown, giving CUW a commanding 38-10 lead.

On CUC's next play from scrimmage, the Falcons' defense continued to dominate. Freshman Logan Dable (Waukesha, Wis.) forced a fumble, and senior Justice Kaneta (Brighton, Colo.) was there to scoop it up at the four-yard line. On the next play, Espinoza punched in his first touchdown of the day, pushing CUW's lead to 45-10.

The Cougars managed to score once more before the end of the third quarter, but the Falcons quickly responded in the fourth. Espinoza capped off a 10-play, 55-yard drive with his second touchdown of the day, extending the lead to 52-17. CUC added a late touchdown, but the Falcons held on for the 52-24 victory.

As a team, the Falcons racked up 446 total yards, including 270 passing yards and 176 rushing yards. Quarterback Justin Clark had an outstanding performance, completing 19 of 29 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. Jacob Pugh was a workhorse on the ground, rushing for 76 yards on 11 carries, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, and scoring twice. Espinoza also contributed two touchdowns, finishing with 55 yards on 13 carries.

In the receiving game, TJ Harrold had five catches for 95 yards and one touchdown, including a season-long 31-yard reception. Jack Bradley also had a strong performance, catching four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, with his longest reception going for 38 yards. Jason Leonard totaled 42 yards on three catches, and Kam'Ron Pierre had two receptions for 25 yards. Kevin Lunz caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.

Logan Navis was perfect on extra points, going 6-for-6, and sophomore Nick Klein (Rome City, Ind.) added one of his own. Navis also recorded five kickoffs that resulted in touchbacks. Sophomore punter Luke Droegemueller (Cumming, Ga.) averaged 40.8 yards per punt, with three of his four attempts landing inside the 20-yard line. Junior Trevor Cobo (Erie, Ill.) returned four kicks for 101 yards, including a long return of 41 yards.

Defensively, Gio Nowotarski and Adonis Roberts each had an interception, while Justice Kaneta led the team with nine total tackles. Max Michonski added seven total tackles, including five solo stops and an assist on a sack. Sophomore Duncan Ireland III (Eagle, Wis.) also contributed five tackles. Freshman Jadon Lewis (Milwaukee, Wis.) was particularly disruptive, recording two sacks for 10 yards and breaking up two passes at the line of scrimmage. The Falcons also received sack contributions from freshman Darrian Turner (Oshkosh, Wis.) and Johnny Kutner (Muskego, Wis.) while Logan Dable had the lone forced fumble.

The Falcons will close out the regular season next Saturday at Wisconsin Lutheran in the coveted Luther Cup.