Football Wraps Up Season at Wisconsin Lutheran

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin football team wrapped up their 2024 season with a hard-fought 17-27 loss to Wisconsin Lutheran College. Despite the setback, the Falcons finished the season with a 6-3 overall record and a 5-3 mark in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), securing their third consecutive winning season, both overall and in conference play.

CUW wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the opening drive, marching 73 yards on nine rushing plays. Senior Pierre Summers III (Columbus, Ga.) led the charge, rushing for 17 yards on three straight carries. Sophomore Jacob Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.) then picked up 11 yards on a crucial rush to convert a first down.

On the next play, Summers III sprinted 18 yards to the right, setting up a first-and-goal at the WLC 6-yard line. Two plays later, Summers III powered his way through the line for a 3-yard touchdown. Initially stopped at the goal line, he was pushed across by his offensive line. Sophomore Logan Navis (Cedar Grove, Wis.) added the extra point to give CUW a 7-0 lead.

The Warriors responded swiftly with a touchdown of their own to tie the game at 7-7, and the first quarter ended with the score even.

After the break, WLC capitalized on strong field position and took a 10-7 lead with a field goal. The Falcons answered back with a clutch drive. On third-and-19, sophomore quarterback Justin Clark (Goodyear, Ariz.) scrambled to his right and connected with junior Mason Knueppel (Jackson, Wis.) for a 44-yard gain on a jump ball down the sideline, bringing CUW to the WLC 22-yard line. A few plays later, Navis tied the game with a 37-yard field goal, making it 10-10.

The Warriors quickly moved into field goal range again, but CUW's special teams came up big. Sophomore Adonis Roberts (Hammond, Ind.) blocked the 37-yard attempt, and senior Gio Nowotarski (Reading, Pa.) scooped up the loose ball and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown, giving the Falcons a 17-10 lead.

WLC responded with a field goal to cut the lead to 17-13, and the score held heading into halftime.

After the break, the Warriors took a 20-17 lead with a touchdown, forcing the Falcons into a four-and-out on the ensuing drive. WLC extended their lead to 27-17 early in the fourth quarter, using a steady offensive drive that ate up clock. Despite CUW's best efforts to mount a comeback, the Warriors were able to control the game in the final minutes and defend their home turf.

As a team, the Falcons accumulated 213 yards of offense, with 79 yards on the ground and 134 through the air. Quarterback Justin Clark threw for 79 yards, while Pierre Summers III led the rushing attack with 88 yards and a touchdown.

Mason Knueppel recorded 44 receiving yards, while junior Jason Leonard (Tampa, Fla.) added 21 yards on two receptions. Senior TJ Harrold (Rosenberg, Wis.) chipped in with 14 yards on two catches. Logan Navis contributed with two successful extra points and a 37-yard field goal. On kickoffs, Navis recorded touchbacks throughout the game.

Defensively, senior linebacker Justice Kaneta (Brighton, Colo.) led the way with 13 solo tackles and 18 total tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss. Gio Nowotarski and junior Trevor Cobo (Erie, Ill.) both recorded six solo tackles, while freshman Jadon Lewis (Milwaukee, Wis.) had five solo tackles, including three for a loss, and added one pass breakup.

With the 2024 season now complete, the Falcons turn their focus to the offseason as they prepare for the 2025 campaign.

The CUW Athletics Department sincerely thanks the 2024 senior class for their dedication and contributions to the program. The senior class includes Justice Kaneta, Justin Radke (Stratford, Wis.), TJ Harrold, Austin Swiech (Fairbury, Ill.), Matthew Torres (Von Ormy, Texas), Kekoa Carmichael (Las Vegas, Nev.), Gio Nowotarski, Zac Ballard (Paramount, Calif.), Pierre Summers III, Austin Northern (Colgate, Wis.), Nick Snow (Naperville, Ill.), Ruben Salinas (Milwaukee, Wis.), and Andrew Elmhorst (Manawa, Wis.).