(Southfield, MI) – Concordia football returned to action on Saturday afternoon when they traveled to MSFA Mideast newcomer Lawrence Tech. The Cardinals came in with a 6-2 overall record while the Blue Devils entered 1-7. After both teams traded early touchdowns, CUAA pulled away for a dominant 56-7 victory.
Omar Sinclair (SO/Norcross, GA) had a big day on the ground with 185 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Peter Morrison (JR/Fort Wayne, IN) threw for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns in the game. Clay Coltson (SR/Hastings, MI) led Cardinals receivers with 73 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Hunter Maynard (JR/Plain City, OH) led Concordia with 8 total tackles. Andrew Foerster (JR/Swartz Creek) had a 53-yard fumble return touchdown while tying Amaan Payne (SR/Holt, MI) for second on the team with 5 total tackles. Ryan Fish (JR/Allen Park, MI) recorded an interception in the contest.
Concordia kicked off to begin the game and the defense forced a three-and-out. The Cardinals broke through on their first series when Omar Sinclair found an opening and rushed for a 63-yard touchdown. Lawrence Tech responded with a 9-play, 63-yard scoring drive to tie the game 7-7.
Peter Morrison needed just one play to answer on Concordia's next series, firing deep down the left sideline to Clay Coltson for a 65-yard touchdown. While the Blue Devils returned the ensuing kickoff for 66 yards, a fumble at the end of the return gave the ball back to CUAA.
After both teams traded defensive stops, Peter Morrison led a 10-play, 85-yard drive that spanned into the 2nd quarter. Bobby Desantis (JR/Dearborn, MI) plunged over the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown, giving the Cardinals a 21-7 lead.
The Concordia defense forced a turnover on downs and the Cardinal offense converted again. After Omar Sinclair made a block on a Lawrence Tech rusher, Peter Morrison found Noah Rufo (SR/Decatur, MI) over the middle for a 27-yard touchdown.
Ryan Fish made an interception on a deep ball on the next series. The score remained 28-7 in favor of Concordia at halftime.
The Cardinals started the 2nd half with the ball and scored on their opening drive when Roderick Dailey (SR/Detroit, MI) took an end-around for a 49-yard touchdown. After the defense stopped a fake punt pass by the Blue Devils, CUAA scored again after 7 straight rushing plays. Omar Sinclair finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush up the middle.
Concordia special teams stepped up when Matt Osborne (SR/Hudson, MI) blocked a Blue Devil punt, setting the offense up at the 18-yard line. Parker Graham (SO/Livonia, MI) came in at quarterback and called his own number, rushing for a 14-yard gain and then sidestepping a defender for a 4-yard touchdown.
The CUAA defense extended the team's lead on the next drive. Andrew Foerster scooped up a fumble and returned it for a 53-yard touchdown, giving Concordia a commanding 56-7 lead.
The Cardinals made one more defensive stand when DaJuan Thomas recovered a fumble in the endzone, ending an 11-play, 98-yard Lawrence Tech drive. After rushes of 16 and 14 yards from Bobby Desantis, the team was able to move into victory formation and secure the 56-7 victory.
Concordia improves to 7-2 overall with the win. The Cardinals will return home on Saturday, November 16 to conclude their regular season against #25 Indiana Wesleyan. The team will be celebrating Senior Day and will honor senior team members prior to the game. Kickoff is set for 1pm.
