(Ann Arbor, MI) – #5-ranked Concordia football played a top-25 matchup on Saturday afternoon with an MSFA crossover game against #16 Roosevelt. Both teams came into the game with a 1-0 record. CUAA jumped out to a 16-7 lead and held off a late drive by the Lakers to bring home a Cardinal win.
Gavin Brooks threw for 177 yards and a touchdown in the game. Keirell Jackson ran for 59 yards and a touchdown. Luke Wilson was the leading receiver with 61 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Aaron Rahn and Casey Rauch tied for the team lead with 13 total tackles. Gerald McHenry and Marvitis Dupree tied for third with 6 tackles apiece. Gabe Whitmore led the team with 2 interceptions while adding 5 tackles.
Concordia received the opening kickoff to begin the game as both teams traded defensive stops. Andrew Foerster made a 1st-down sack to contribute to a three-and-out for the Cardinal defense on Roosevelt's first possession. CUAA got on the board first with a 24-yard field goal from Luis Gomez to take a 3-0 lead.
After another defensive stop, Concordia picked up a big chunk of yardage when Gavin Brooks lofted a 40-yard pass to Seth Beeler who showed solid footwork to stay in bounds and make the catch. After taking a toss back from his running back, Brooks found a wide open Luke Wilson for a 21-yard touchdown.
Gabe Whitmore intercepted a deep Roosevelt pass on Concordia's first defensive series in the 2nd quarter. Both defenses continued to hold each other in check with the Cardinals stepping up to make a 4th-down stop near midfield. CUAA maintained a 10-0 lead heading to the locker room.
Gabe Whitmore made his second interception of the game near the sidelines to open the 3rd quarter for Concordia. However, Roosevelt was able to get on the board with a 57-yard touchdown pass to pull within 3 points midway through the quarter. Both defenses held strong and the Cardinals held a 10-7 advantage after the 3rd.
Concordia extended their lead with a 12-play, 68-yard drive in the 4th quarter. The Cardinals steadily moved downfield and Keirell Jackson capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Roosevelt countered with a touchdown on their next series to cut the Concordia lead to 16-14.
After the Cardinal offense stalled, the defense was forced to make a last stand as Roosevelt looked to drive for a game-winning field goal. The Lakers drove into Concordia territory, but the Cardinals came up with a critical turnover. On third down, Roosevelt quarterback Jack Sheehan was flushed out of the pocket after pressure from the Concordia defense. Sheehan hesitated and looked to throw, but a fumble was scooped up by Corbin Stefanski to secure the victory.
Concordia will have a bye week next Saturday. The Cardinals will remain at home on Saturday, October 2 when they host current #25 Indiana Wesleyan in an MSFA Mideast matchup. Kickoff is at 1pm.
