Devon Harris delivered his second straight impressive performance, but it was not enough as the Lakeland University Muskies fell to the Concordia Wisconsin Falcons, 30-22. Lakeland found themselves trailing by 14 early, but were able to battle back to pull within a single score on two occasions. Geoffrey Mazur rushed for 129 yards for the Falcons.

Neither team was able to generate much offense on their first possessions of the game, but Concordia took a 7-0 lead on their second possession. Starting from their own 21, the team needed just five plays to move 79 yards. Quarterback James Linn got the drive going, rushing twice for 7 yards and making a 10-yard completion to Christian Booker. However, the drive looked like it would stall when the Falcons faced a third and six of their own 38. That is when Linn found a streaking Ethan Campbell for 62 yards to give Concordia a seven-point lead.

On their third possession of the game, Lakeland was able to mount a drive that moved the team from their own 40 down to the Concordia 15. Harris led the way, carrying the ball six times and quarterback Lane Sobieski completed four passes. However, the drive stalled, forcing a 31-yard field goal attempt which hit off the left upright.

The Falcons extended their lead to 14 with a little over 10 minutes left in the half. Linn had a big 14-yard completion to TJ Harrold early in the drive and Mazur at a 12-yard run that moved the ball down to the Lakeland 25. On the fifth play of the drive, Linn found Booker for 14 yards down to the one and Michael Joshua scored on the next play to put the Falcons on top, 14-0.

After failing to score on their first six drives in the game, the Muskies cut the deficit to seven on their seventh, moving 80 yards in just four plays to make this a 14-7. The drive looked like it would end before it nearly got started when the team faced a third in seven from their own 23. Sobieski kept the ball, racing left for 7 yards and a first down. On the next play, he found Kolby Cohen for 70 yards and a touchdown.

An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave Concordia the ball at midfield on their next possession and they were able to move 29 yards in 11 plays before Zach Heinen kicked a 39-yard field goal. That made it 17-7.

On their next possession, the Muskies moved into Falcons territory, reaching the 45, but were stopped on fourth and five, turning the ball over on downs. Linn made them pay, completing passes of 13 and 14 yards to start the drive. On the fourth play of the possession, Linn found Booker for another 13-yard completion, down to the Lakeland 17. With time winding down, CW opted for a field-goal attempt, and Heinen drilled a 36 yarder to make it 20-7 heading into the break.

The Lakeland offense had struggled in the first half, but gained some momentum early in the second. After turning the ball over on downs on their first possession, the team moved 77 yards in their second, cutting the deficit to six. Sobieski got the drive going with a 12-yard completion to Harris, then found Harris once again, this time for 37 yards down to the Concordia 26. After Elmonzeo Evans rushed for 13 yards, Harris burst up the middle, scoring from 13 yards out to make it 20-14.

The Falcons added a 32-yard Heinen field-goal with a little over five minutes left in the third quarter, that extended the lead to nine. Early in the fourth, Concordia completed a six plate, 80-yard drive when Linn found Booker for 23 yards and a touchdown to make it 30-14. It was the second touchdown toss of the day for the Concordia quarterback.

Lakeland responded with an 11 play, 71-yard drive that moved the ball to the Concordia four. However, on second and goal, Sobieski fumbled. Eli Wallace recovered. The Falcons then went 78 yards down to the Lakeland 15 where they looked to ice the game with a 33-yard field goal. This time it was the Lakeland special teams making a big play as Justin McMahon blocked the attempt.

Lakeland added one more touchdown with a little under a minute left in the game. Sobieski completed the five play, 69 yard drive, finding Cohen for 20 yards to make it 30-20.

Sobieski finished 21-40 for 242 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 57 yards on 18 carries. Harris had 172 yards and a touchdown on 30 attempts. Cohen led the team with five catches for 128 yards and two scores. The Lakeland defense was led by McMahon who had nine tackles. Matt Glowgowski had two tackles, including a sack.

The Lakeland University Muskies (1-6) welcome Eureka (2-6) next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.

Boxscore

by Robert Pannier