(Arlington Heights, IL) – Concordia football traveled to Roosevelt for another MSFA crossover on Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals entered ranked #7 In the country with the Lakers came in receiving votes. CUAA jumped out to a quick start with a 14-0 lead, but the Cardinals were unable to overcome 28 straight points from the Lakers in a 28-20 defeat.
Gavin Brooks threw for 249 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Stewart rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown while Heath Flower added 23 yards and a TD. Seeger DeGayner led all receivers with 83 receiving yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Casey Rauch led the team with 9 total tackles. Arthur Herndon III, Chase Maynard and Collin Vaughn tied for second with 5 tackles apiece.
Concordia kicked off to Roosevelt to open the game. The Cardinals forced a three-and-out on defense, but the Lakers countered on the next possession by blocking a field goal attempt.
Concordia forced another defensive stop and a Roosevelt error on the 4th-down snap led to a turnover on downs. The Cardinals started their drive deep in the redzone and Heath Flower punched in a 4-yard rushing touchdown for an early lead.
Roosevelt drove deep into Concordia territory on the next series, but Casey Rauch stopped a quarterback draw on 4th down to force a turnover. Gavin Brooks responded by leading a 15-play, 79-yard drive on the next series. Brandon Stewart took a handoff to the right and cut back left for a 4-yard rushing TD.
Roosevelt began to mount a comeback in the second quarter, putting together a touchdown drive and then securing a "pick 6" to tie the game. The Cardinals prevented more damage late in the half when Gabe Dowling recovered a fumble after a Roosevelt interception return. The game was tied 14-14 at halftime.
Both teams continued to trade defensive stops in the third quarter. Roosevelt connected on a 56-yard pass play to take the lead midway through the quarter. The Lakers put together another late scoring drive to take a 28-14 lead after the 3rd.
The Cardinals completed a successful fake punt play early in the 4th when Casey Rauch found Logan Hay for a 12-yard gain and a first down. However, the Lakers' defense held and kept Concordia out of the endzone.
The Cardinals were able to convert later in the 4th on a 12-play, 74-yard scoring drive. A key 4th-down conversion from Gavin Brooks to Seeger DeGayner kept the drive going. Brooks eventually rolled to his left, avoided pressure, and found DeGayner in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown.
Concordia attempted an onside kick but the Lakers recovered the ball. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Cardinals had one last opportunity with 5 seconds remaining. Seeger DeGayner caught a short pass and several laterals kept the play alive, but Roosevelt made a stop and secured the 28-20 win.
Concordia will have a bye next Saturday and will prepare to travel to Indiana Wesleyan on October 1 at 12pm
