MORRIS, Minn. – The defense kept the Cougars (0-3, 0-2 UMAC) in the game until the end but the result was a 13-7 loss to Iowa Wesleyan (1-2, 1-1 UMAC). The two teams combined for nearly 600 yards of offense but each team was just 1-3 from inside the red zone, which kept the score low.

The Cougars fumbled the ball on their first play from scrimmage, giving the Tigers the ball at the UMM 43 yard line. Iowa Wesleyan needed just two plays to score, taking a quick 7-0 lead. Morris turned the Tigers away on their next drive, stopping them on fourth and two at the 20 yard line.

Minnesota Morris used a 12 play drive to get all the way down to the 11 yard line but McLaren's pass on third down was intercepted in the back of the end zone. Dalton DeGraffenreid returned the favor; picking off a Tigers pass on the ensuing drive and returning it to midfield, unfortunately the Cougars could not take advantage.

Wesleyan was able to threaten at the end of the first half, taking the ball down to the Cougars 26 yard line but their 43 yard field goal at the end of the half came up short.

Iowa Wesleyan held a 197-143 advantage in total yards after the first half despite the Cougars having the ball for almost six more minutes.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and went on an 87 yard drive to make it 13-0 after the PAT was missed. It was the first score for the Tigers in the third quarter this season.

On the Cougars next drive they took the ball all the way to the 20 but turned the ball over on downs. Iowa Wesleyan drove the ball to the Cougars 17 yard line before Chandler Erickson picked off the pass in the end zone ending the threat.

Morris had another drive get into the Tigers end of the field but a couple negative plays drove the Cougars back into their own end. Iowa Wesleyan ran off some precious time on their next drive of the game but did have to punt the ball back to UMM with 4:36 left.

On the first play the Cougars went deep and reached the 30 yard line of the Tigers. McLaren hit Evan Guffey on a fourth down play cutting the lead to six at 13-7. Morris forced a punt with five seconds left, after stopping the Tigers, who had recovered the onside kick with just over two minutes to play.

Thanks to a penalty on Iowa Wesleyan during the punt return the Cougars had one final untimed play from their own 41 yard line. McLaren's desperation heave was intercepted and the Tigers held on for their first victory of the year. Penalties were an issue for both teams, as the Tigers and Cougars each had at least 80 yards of lost due to flags.

A big part of the Cougars struggle to score was due to the Tigers racking up seven sacks on the day, costing Morris 47 yards of offense.

Kyle Petermeier and Guffey each had 85+ yards receiving on the day, leading the Cougars offense. McLaren finished the day with 170 yards and touchdown on 13-22 throwing. Cody Hickman reached 400 career tackles on Saturday.

The late Cougars touchdown helped them avoid being shutout for the first time since 2008, a streak of 58 games.