(Chicago, IL) - Concordia football traveled to #11 Saint Xavier on Saturday night under the lights.  The Cardinals looked to overcome an early deficit with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars held on for a 27-17 win. 

Colby Kohmescher threw for 114 passing yards and a touchdown.  Brandon Stewart led the ground attack with 46 rushing yards.  Jordan Garcia led receivers with 53 yards and a touchdown.   

On defense, Chase Maynard led the team with 17 tackles and an interception.  Ethan Burrows finished second with 10 tackles.  Liam Karry came in third with nine tackles.  Davion Coats had a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown along with five tackles.   

Concordia received the opening kickoff to begin the game.  Both teams traded defensive steps with Chase Maynard jumping a route and making an interception for the Cardinal defense.  Saint Xavier scored later in the quarter and CUAA trailed 7-0 after 15 minutes of play. 

The Cardinals finished a 13-play, 60-yard drive that stretched into the second quarter when Caiden Thomas drilled a 32-yard field goal.  Saint Xavier countered with a touchdown and CUAA trailed 14-3 at halftime.   

The Cougars scored on their opening drive of the third quarter to extend their lead.  The Cardinals finished the third quarter down 21-3.  

Saint Xavier added a field goal early in the fourth quarter.  The Cardinals began to mount a comeback when Colby Kohmescher found Jordan Garcia for a 23-yard touchdown.  On the next series, Davion Coats came up with an interception and returned it for a 60-yard touchdown to trim the deficit to 24-17.   

The Cardinals made another defensive stop and started with the ball on their own 47-yard line.  However, the Cougars came up with an interception and added a field goal on their next drive.  Saint Xavier held on to survive the CUAA upset bid and claimed the 27-17 win. 

CUAA will travel to play Judson (IL) at Millennium Field next Saturday, October 5th, at 6pm.