(Des Moines, IA) – Concordia football traveled to #3 Grand View on Saturday afternoon to compete in the second round of the NAIA playoffs.  The Cardinals earned their spot after downing Saint Xavier 47-3 last week while the Vikings secured their place after a 38-13 win over Dickinson State.  CUAA kept the contest close for three quarters, but Grand View secured their lead in the fourth quarter to claim the win.

Gavin Brooks threw for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns while tying for the team lead with 34 rushing yards.  Keirell Jackson also rushed for 34 yards in the game.  Parker Graham and Luke Wilson tied for the team high with 73 receiving yards apiece.  Seeger DeGayner and Donovan Johnson each caught a touchdown while recording 57 and 45 receiving yards each.  Johnson was also named the team's Champions of Character nominee for the game.

On defense, Connor Long led the team with 10 tackles.  Andrew Foerster finished second with 7 tackles.  Aaron Rahn and Treyon Freeman tied for third with 6 tackles apiece.  Alonzo Johnson added an interception along with 4 tackles.

Concordia kicked off to Grand View to begin the game.  The Vikings' opening drive took 7:28 off the clock and lasted for 15 plays, but the Cardinal defense held them to a field goal. 

After both teams traded defensive stops, Andrew Foerster forced a turnover for Concordia with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  The Cardinals capitalized as Gavin Brooks threw to his left and found a diving Donovan Johnson for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead.

The Vikings retook the lead with a touchdown in the second quarter.  Concordia drove down to Grand View's 11-yard line on the next series.   The offense had multiple promising chances in the endzone, but the Cardinals would still tie the game 10-10 on a 28-yard field goal from Luis Gomez.

Grand View retook the lead later in the quarter.  Alonzo Johnson made a leaping interception in the final minute to end the Vikings' final drive.  CUAA trailed 17-10 at halftime.

The Cardinals converted in the third quarter when Gavin Brooks hooked up with Seeger DeGayner for a big play on a 50-yard touchdown pass.  Grand View blocked the extra point and remained ahead 17-16.

The Vikings added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter and held strong on defense.  The Cardinals had several promising opportunities but Grand View secured the 31-16 win as time expired.