Michael Near Flawless as Muskies Roll in Storm Lake
Storm Lake, IA – “Robby! Robby!” You could almost hear the crowd cheering back at Lakeland University, and with good reason as the Muskies rolled over the Buena Vista University Beavers on Saturday thanks to a spectacular performance by sophomore quarterback Robby Michael. The Lakeland quarterback threw for 316 yards and rushed for 154 more to lead the Muskies to a decisive 34-16 victory, evening the record for the team at 1-1. Lakeland rolled up 580 yards of total offense.
The Beavers were forced to punt on the first possession of the game, giving Lakeland the ball at their own 25 yard line. After two rushes gained three total yards, Michael found Xaviar Thomas for 10 yards and a first down. Two plays later, the team found themselves at third and 15, and Michael came up big again, connecting with Caleb Besaw for 37 yards and another first down. Two plays later, the team faced another third-down conversion, and this time Devon Harris burst outside, working his way down the field for 22 yards and the score, putting the Muskies on top, 7-0.
Both teams were forced to punt on their next possessions, and it looked like Lakeland had created a big defensive play on the next possession for Buena Vista when Shamond Oliver intercepted an Austin Smith pass at the Lakeland 41, returning it 9 yards to midfield. However, a pass interference call turned the ball back to the Beavers, who tied the score seven plays later when Keaton Huebner scored from 8 yards out.
The Muskies were unfazed, moving 75 yards in seven plays to retake the lead. The team rolled early on the ground, with Michael and Harris alternating carries for a total of 37 yards. On second and eight at the Buena Vista 38, Michael connected with Colby Kohen for 23 yards down to the Beavers 15. Two plays later, Michael found Besaw for a 15 yard touchdown to make it 13-7.
The Beavers were forced to punt on their next possession as well, giving Lakeland the ball at their own 35. This time it was Michael making two quick strikes for 25 yards. On the next play, the quarterback kept the ball, racing up the middle for 24 yards, putting the Muskies at the 31-yard line. Two plays later, Michael moved right, racing down the sidelines and into the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown.
Things went bad for the Muskies on their next possession, as they were forced to punt after just three plays. Trey Ortman blocked the attempt, knocking it through the end zone for a safety, making it 19-9.
The Beavers got the ball, and were able to cut the deficit to three, methodically moving 50 yards in 12 plays, taking 4:48 off the clock. Smith dove up the middle for the final yard to complete the drive, making it 19-16. That would be the score heading into the half.
Buena Vista had made a game of it, but it was all Lakeland following the break. Lakeland took the opening kick of the second half and moved 64 yards in 11 plays to extend the lead to 10. Michael had a big 19-yard completion to Besaw that moved the ball into Buena Vista territory. Lakeland was able to move to the Beavers 10, where they faced first and goal. After a 2-yard run by Michael, his next two pass attempts fell incomplete. The coaching staff opted to go for it and the quarterback delivered, finding Harris over the middle, who burst into the end zone for the score.
Lakeland moved to the Buena Vista 19 on their next possession, facing fourth and 10, but this time Michael was sacked for a 5-yard loss. The next possession also ended in a turnover on downs when Michael found Besaw for a 4-yard completion, but fell to yards short of a first down.
The next possession for the Muskies ended in a turnover, when a fumble gave Buena Vista the ball at their own 35. With 1:36 left in the game, Lakeland was looking to burn out the clock, but got a game sealing touchdown when Michael found Thomas over the middle, who raced 62 yards for the score.
The Beavers had the ball one more time, but Charles Kobe intercepted a Zach Herrera pass at the Buena Vista 30, ending the game.
It was an impressive performance for Michael, who went 21-32 for 316 yards and three touchdowns. He added one touchdown on the ground as well. Thomas had three catches for 87 yards and a score and Besaw had five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. The defense was led by Matt Glogowski, recording nine tackles. Kobe had five tackles and an interception.
The Lakeland University Muskies (1-1) begin conference play next Saturday when they welcome the Concordia-Wisconsin (1-1) Falcons. Game time is scheduled for 1:00.
by Robert Pannier