Presented by Team Rehabilitation
(Indianapolis, IN) - Concordia football traveled to #6 Marian on Saturday evening for a critical MSFA crossover match. Both teams featured an explosive offense, combining for 870 total yards. The contest had multiple lead changes and went down to the final minutes, but Marian escaped with a 34-31 win.
Colby Kohmescher threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 54 yards and a touchdown. James Carpenter led the ground attack with 88 yards and a touchdown. Seeger DeGayner led receivers with 54 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Chase Maynard led the team with 11 tackles. Kelly Matthews and Liam Karry tied for second with eight tackles apiece. Ethan Burrows added an interception along with four tackles.
Concordia kicked off to Marian to begin the game. The Cardinal defense made an early stop when Ethan Burrows came up with an interception in the endzone. CUAA capitalized with a 7-play, 80-yard scoring drive on their next series. A 36-yard reception by Te'Avion Warren put the team in the redzone and Colby Kohmescher found Seeger DeGayner for a 4-yard touchdown.
After a defensive stop, Brandon Stewart and Elijah Taylor broke big runs of 48 and 25 yards respectively. The drive ended with a 32-yard field goal by Caiden Thomas. However, Marian stormed back with two touchdowns to take a 14-10 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Cardinals put together an 11-play, 66-yard scoring drive to retake the lead. Colby Kohmescher called his own number and ran in a 1-yard touchdown to cap the drive. Marian answered with a field goal to tie the game. CUAA responded again when Colby Kohmescher escaped pressure and slipped a pass to Seegar DeGayner past the outstretched hand of a Marian defender. DeGayner was able to take the pass for a 42-yard touchdown. CUAA led 24-20 at halftime.
Marian marched down the field and scored early in the third quarter to retake the lead. Both defenses held strong and CUAA trailed 27-24 heading into the final frame.
In the fourth quarter, James Carpenter found a seam up the middle and ran for a 47-yard touchdown to put the Cardinals back in front. CUAA looked to maintain their lead, but the Knights were able to score with 1:53 left to pull back ahead by three points. The Cardinals had one final drive as they looked to extend the game, but Marian's defense held for a 34-31 win.
Concordia will return home next Saturday, September 21st, to host (RV) Saint Francis (IL) at 1pm in Ferry Field at Cardinal Stadium.
