Presented by Team Rehabilitation
(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football held their home opener on Saturday afternoon, hosting Taylor for an MSFA Mideast clash. The Cardinals more than doubled up the Trojans in offensive yards and cruised to a 54-14 victory.
Gavin Brooks threw for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brandon Stewart rushed for 55 yards and 3 touchdowns. Jordan Garcia led all receivers with 141 yards while Seeger DeGayner tacked on 120 yards with 2 touchdown receptions.
On defense, Chase Maynard led the Cardinals with 9 tackles. Liam Karry finished second with 8 tackles. Casey Rauch and Gabe Whitmore tied for third with 7 apiece. Whitmore, Rauch, and Leroy Watson all made interceptions with the latter two going for a "pick 6".
Concordia kicked off to begin the game. After the defense made a fourth-down stop in Taylor territory, the Cardinals converted when Brandon Stewart broke a 28-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Gavin Brooks led an 11-play, 80-yard drive with Seeger DeGayner getting open for a 4-yard pass in the corner of the endzone.
In the 2nd quarter, Brooks and DeGayner connected again for a 40-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead. Dejai Robinson tacked on a 21-yard field goal and Brandon Stewart punched in a 6-yard touchdown run after an 11-play, 76-yard drive. Stewart found the endzone for the third time with 6 seconds before halftime, putting CUAA ahead 37-0.
Taylor broke the shutout early in the third quarter. The Cardinals answered with a 24-yard field goal from Dejai Robinson and a 31-yard "pick 6" from Leroy Watson. Concordia held a 47-7 lead heading to the final frame.
The Cardinal defense continued to make plays when Casey Rauch made an interception and sidestepped a defender for a "pick 6". Concordia continued to run down the clock and claimed the 54-14 win as time expired.
Concordia travels to Olivet Nazarene next Saturday for a 1pm contest.
