(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football hosted Saint Francis on a snowy Saturday afternoon for their final game of the season. The Cardinals held strong and claimed a 27-10 win, their third victory in a row over the Cougars.
Jalen Smith threw for 102 yards while rushing for 41 yards and a touchdown. James Carpenter had a breakout game with a career-high 163 yards and an 85-yard touchdown. Brandon Stewart added 19 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Seeger DeGayner led all receivers with 84 yards.
On defense, Liam Karry led the team with 11 tackles. Chase Maynard finished second with 8 tackles. Casey Rauch was third with 6 tackles. Colby Kohmescher had 3 interceptions including a pick 6. Alonzo Johnson and Marvitis Dupree also made INTs.
Concordia kicked off to begin the game and the defense forced a three-and-out. Saint Francis got on the board first with a 24-yard field goal.
The Cardinals countered with an 8-play, 79-yard scoring drive. A 43-yard pass to Seeger DeGayner advanced the ball into Cougar territory and Jalen Smith eventually punched in a 1-yard touchdown.
Marvitis Dupree and Colby Kohmescher made interceptions as the game settled into a defensive battle. Another interception by Kohmescher was returned for a 59-yard game, setting the Cardinals up in the redzone. Brandon Stewart ran for a 7-yard touchdown to extend the lead. CUAA held a 13-3 advantage at halftime.
The snow started to fall more heavily as the third quarter began. The Cardinal defense held the Cougars to a missed field goal and the quarter would be scoreless.
Alonzo Johnson made an interception in the endzone early in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing series, James Carpenter broke an 85-yard run down the sideline, outrunning the Cougar defenders on his way to the endzone.
Concordia's defense continued their standout play when Colby Kohmescher made his third interception of the game. Kohmescher sidestepped a defender and returned the "pick 6" all the way to the endzone.
While the Cougars added a late touchdown, CUAA secured a 27-10 win as time expired.
