(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football celebrated Senior Day on Saturday afternoon as the team hosted Madonna in their home finale. The Cardinals celebrated their senior team members prior to the game for their contributions to the program. CUAA played a solid game on both sides of the ball and cruised to a 58-6 victory.
Gavin Brooks threw for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 46 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Keirell Jackson ran for 67 yards on 14 carries and added a touchdown. James Carpenter and Jaylen Laws also added touchdowns on the ground. Seeger DeGayner led all receivers with 117 yards and 3 touchdowns.
On defense, Aaron Rahn finished first with 7 tackles and a fumble recovery. Casey Rauch was second with 6 tackles. Arthur Herndon III and Colby Kohmescher had interceptions while tying Andrew Wiemer and Hunter Maynard with 4 tackles apiece.
Concordia received the ball to begin the game and the team converted on a 7-play, 75-yard drive. A 32-yard rush from quarterback Gavin Brooks set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Keirell Jackson. After the Cardinal defense forced a three-and-out, Brooks connected with Seeger DeGayner on a 59-yard touchdown for a 14-0 lead.
Arthur Herndon III came up with an interception later in the quarter, giving the offense the ball deep in Madonna territory. Gavin Brooks fired the ball over the defense in a good spot to Seeger DeGayner for a 23-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead.
Aaron Rahn recovered a fumble early in the second quarter as Concordia continued to control the game. Gavin Brooks led a 10-play, 46-yard drive and eventually ran to his right for a 1-yard touchdown. Luis Gomez tacked on a 35-yard field goal as time expired to give the Cardinals a 31-0 lead at halftime.
Madonna scored on their opening drive of the second half to break the shutout, but the Cardinal defense denied the 2-pt conversion attempt. Concordia responded with an 8-play, 65-yard drive as Keirell Jackson made steady rushes to move the team downfield. Seeger DeGayner eventually made a great diving catch in the back of the endzone for his third touchdown and a 38-6 advantage.
Luis Gomez added field goals from 34 and 38 yards out to keep Concordia firmly ahead. Colby Kohmescher tacked on an interception and the Cardinals converted again when Jaylen Laws ran in a 1-yard touchdown.
In the final minutes, James Carpenter found a seam up the middle and rushed for a 23-yard touchdown to cap off scoring in the contest. Concordia claimed the 58-6 win as time expired.
The Cardinals will head on the road next week to face Saint Francis (IN) and wrap up their regular season. Kickoff is at 1pm.