Wauwatosa, Wisconsin – Wisconsin Lutheran College was tied at 14 with Lakeland University, but the Warriors defense clamped down from there, holding the Muskies off the scoreboard over the final 39 minutes to help lead the team to a 34-14 victory. Chris Cooper had two interceptions and Layson Handwork had an interception and a fumble recovery as the Wisconsin Lutheran defense had five total turnovers in the contest. Savon Goodwin also had a big day, leading the team with 10 tackles, including two sacks.

Lakeland had a big day on the ground, led by Jatron Bevly had 13 carries for 92 yards, but quarterback Robby Michael completed just eight of 23 passes and threw four interceptions in the contest. Michael finished with 73 yards rushing.

This was a very tough first quarter for both teams. The Warriors turned the ball over on downs at the Lakeland 36 on their opening possession, and the Muskies returned the favor, turning the ball over on downs at the Wisconsin Lutheran 44. The Warriors were forced to punt on their next possession, but Michael was intercepted by Tywin McKinney on the next position for the Muskies, giving Wisconsin Lutheran the ball at their own 43.

They were forced to punt on their next possession, but the kick was blocked by Brekkan Spens. That gave Lakeland the ball at the Wisconsin Lutheran 4-yard line, and they scored two plays later when Devon Harris scored from 3 yards out to make it 7-0.

The Warriors took possession of the ball with 1:45 left in the first quarter, and were able to march 70 yards in five plays to tie the score. Bryce Barbian completed two passes to give the team a fresh set of downs. On second and one at midfield, Barbian found Emmitt Hawkins down the middle for a 50-yard touchdown to knot the game at seven.

The Muskies were forced to punt on their next possession, but Michael’s kick went for just 16 yards, giving Wisconsin Lutheran the ball at the Lakeland 36-yard line. It looked like the Warriors would turn the ball over on downs when they faced fourth and one at the Lakeland 27, but Trevion Green burst through the line for a 27-yard touchdown to give Wisconsin Lutheran a 14-7 lead.

Back the other way Lakeland went, as Bevly led the drive, carrying the ball on each of the first three plays. After a 4-yard run, he moved to his left, then raced down the sidelines for 69 yards to the WLC 2-yard line. Two plays later, Harris burst up the middle to knot the game at 14.

The defenses shut down the next two drives for both teams, but the Warriors were able to take a three-point lead with 1:30 left in the half. Starting from their own 30, the team moved 53 yards in nine plays. Arnulfo Ortega hit a 34-yard field goal to the drive to make it 17-14.

The Muskies turned the ball over on their first possession of the second half. Bevly burst up the middle for 5 yards, but Davion Towns stripped him of the ball. Handwork made the recovery, given the Warriors the ball at the Lakeland 45.

WLC was not able to take advantage of the turnover, but scored on their next possession. Starting from their own 42, the team went 58 yards in 10 plays before extending their lead to 10. Green got the drive going, carrying the ball in each of the first two plays for 16 total yards. WLC was faced with a third and eight at the Lakeland 40, but Barbian found Landon Neeley for a 24-yard completion and a fresh set of downs. Barbian later found Hawkins for a 13-yard completion on third and 10, putting the ball at the Lakeland three. Two plays later, Green went through the line for a touchdown to make it 24-14.

The Warriors looked like they would extend their lead to 17 when they reached the Lakeland 5-yard line where they faced a fourth and one. However, Matt Glogowski dropped Mike Dupree for a 5-yard loss, giving Lakeland the ball at their own 10-yard line.

The Muskies were on the move, reaching the Wisconsin Lutheran 27. Harris took the ball and went through the line for a 7-yard game, but Xavion Allen forced a fumble, recovered by Kason McFadden.

On the next possession for Lakeland, Michael was picked off by Cooper. That happened on the next possession as well.

The Warriors were unable to take advantage of these turnovers, but finally were able to get a touchdown when Michael was sacked on fourth and five at his own 22-yard line, giving Wisconsin Lutheran the ball at the Lakeland 11. Two plays later, Green scored from 7 yards out to make it 31-14.

Wisconsin Lutheran added a 33 yard field goal by Ortega with 33 seconds left in the game.

It was an incredible performance by the Wisconsin Lutheran defense. The Muskies produced 65 total yards in the second half as did have Warriors defense created three turnovers. Lakeland finished with 221 total yards of offense and Michael was sacked four times.

Barbian finished 21 of 42 for 233 yards and a touchdown. Green had 32 carries for 149 yards and three scores. Hawkins led the team with seven receptions for 116 yards and a TD.

Michael had a very tough day for the Muskies, going 8-23 447 yards and four interceptions. The Lakeland defense was led by Shamond Oliver and Andrew Redditt, who each had nine tackles.

The Lakeland University Muskies (2-4, 1-3) welcome Concordia Chicago (0-5, 0-3) next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00. Wisconsin Lutheran College (2-4, 2-2) will travel to take on Eureka (4-1, 2-1) next Saturday. That game is scheduled for 4:00 pm.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier