(Upland, IN) – Concordia football traveled to Taylor on Saturday afternoon for an MSFA Mideast tilt. The Cardinals came back from an early 14-0 deficit to tie the game at halftime, but the Trojans held on in the second half for a 24-21 win.
Jalen Smith threw for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brandon Stewart broke into triple digits with a team-high 116 rushing yards. Donovan Johnson was the leading receiver with 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On defense, Chase Maynard led the team with 14 tackles. Casey Rauch and Liam Karry finished second with 7 tackles apiece. Colby Kohmescher notched an interception and 2 tackles.
Concordia received the opening kickoff which was returned by Seeger DeGayner for 47 yards. The Cardinals' opening drive stalled and Taylor scored on their first possession to go up 7-0.
Concordia drove into the red zone on their next series, making their way to the Taylor 3-yard line before a fumble ended the drive. Both defenses held strong through the rest of the first quarter with Chase Maynard recovering a fumble for the Cardinals in the red zone.
Taylor forced a missed field goal attempt and extended their lead with a touchdown early in the second quarter. CUAA special teams answered on the ensuing kickoff as Seeger DeGayner found a seam through the defense and notched an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown.
After a defensive stop, the Concordia offense converted to tie the game. Jalen Smith rolled out to his right and fired a deep pass over the defense to a wide-open Donovan Johnson for a 56-yard touchdown. The game remained tied 14-14 at halftime.
Taylor retook the lead with a touchdown on their opening drive of the third quarter. The Trojans tacked on a field goal to go ahead 24-14.
The Cardinals put together a 6-play, 71-yard scoring drive later in the quarter. Solid gains from Brandon Stewart and Dorian Edmond moved the team downfield, and a play-action fake led to Jalen Smith finding Donovan Johnson for a 27-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Colby Kohmescher came up with an interception after pressure from the Cardinal defense. Concordia drove down to the Taylor 13-yard line, but a throw to the endzone on the 4th down was broken up.
Taylor was able to run out the clock on their final possession to close out the game.
Concordia will return home next week to host #10, Marian, at 1 pm.
