Matt Davis threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors to a 25-21 victory over the Lakeland University Muskies on Saturday night. After falling behind by eight, the Warriors responded with 12 unanswered points to earn the victory, moving the team to 1-2. Justin Parbs rushed for 117 yards. Jatron Bevly led the Muskies, rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns.

The Lakeland defense forced a punt on the first possession of the day for WLC. A pass interference call on the punt return gave Lakeland the ball at the at the Wisconsin 47 and the team went to work, moving 47 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Muskies converted a fourth and a third and long along the way to keep the chains moving. Bevly bull rushed his way to the end zone, scoring from nine yards out to give his team a 7-0 lead.

The Warriors drove the other way on the ensuing possession, getting to the 14 before settling on a 31-yard field goal by Arnulfo Ortega, who had a huge day. Davis was instrumental in the drive, completing two big pass plays, including a 33-yard strike to Trevion Green and a 36 pass to Javier Murillo.

Back the other way the Muskies went, going 57 yards in 10 plays to extend their lead to 11. Bevly led the way, carrying the ball four times for 20 yards, including the final five for his second score of the game. The freshmen running back also had a nine-yard pass reception to begin the drive.

The Warriors did a little responding of their own, going 70-yards in just five plays and 1:55 off the clock before making this a 14-10 game. Davis was on fire, finding Jordan Jewell for 10 yards to start the drive. Parbs then carried the ball 12 yards. After a false start penalty moved the team back five yards, Davis found Murillo over the middle for 30 yards to the Lakeland 23. Two plays later, he connected on a fade to Carter Schneider to make it 14-10.

On their next drive, WLC cut the deficit to one. The Warrior moved 57-yards in 11 plays before Ortega hit his second field goal of the game, this time from 34 yards out.

The Muskies responded once again, this time going 75 yards in 13 plays, taking 4:18 off the clock before Bevly scored his third touchdown of the game. The drive was highlighted by quarterback Robby Michael, who had a huge 31-yard scamper on third and 7 to give his team a fresh set of downs. Two personal foul penalties had the team backed up to first and 45, but Michael was cool, completing a 13-yard pass to set up fourth and 19. The Muskies went for it, and were rewarded when a pass interference call gave them a first down. Two plays later, Michael headed for the end zone, but was stopped just short. Bevly scored on the next play to make it 21-13.

Wisconsin Lutheran added a field goal just before the half. Ortega drilled a season-long 46-yarder to put the Warriors down by five heading into the break.

The teams combined for 37 points in the first half, but this became a defensive struggle in the second. Lakeland could not move the ball and the Muskies defense was nearly as good.

The Warriors had the only score of the third quarter as Ortega hit a 29 yarder to complete an 11 play, 76-yard drive that began at the team’s own 12. Parbs got the drive going with a 40 yard carry up the gut and Davis added a first down with a 12-yard carry of his own. However, the drive stalled at the 12 and the team opted for a field goal that pulled Wisconsin Lutheran within two.

It remained that way until 9:55 was left in the game. The Warriors took the ball at their own 22 and were quickly at third and six, looking like they would be forced to punt. But Davis found a streaking Schneider, hitting him in stride. The catch and run went for 74 yards and a touchdown to put WLC on top, 25-21.

Lakeland had two more opportunities to retake the lead, but turned the ball over on downs each time. Despite giving up 422 yards, the Warriors defense played very well, holding the Muskies to just 117 yards passing. Ty Castillo led the way with 15 tackles and Connor Martin had five tackles, forced a fumble, and made an interception.

The story for the Warriors was Davis, however. The quarterback was 19-28 for 309 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball eight times for 48 yards. Parbs had 23 carries for 117 yards and Schneider had five catches for 138 yards and two scores.  Ortega hit all four field goal attempts.

The Muskies were led by Bevly. The freshman continues to impress, carrying the ball 34 times for 142 yards and three TDs. Michael had 17 carries for 131 yards and completed 11 of 30 passes for 117 yards.

Next week, the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors (1-2) are on their bye week. The Lakeland Muskies (0-3) travel to take on St. Norbert. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier