NEW ULM, Minn. – Minnesota Morris (3-3, 3-2 UMAC) dropped their first UMAC road game of the year on Saturday, falling 51-36 to Martin Luther (2-4, 1-4 UMAC). The Cougars were undone by four fumbles on the afternoon.
The Cougars outgained Martin Luther 527-511 in the game. They had 280 yards passing and 247 yards rushing in the contest.
Devan Griffin finished with 106 yards on the ground, his second straight game with over 100 yards on the ground. He also added 244 yards through the air and had two touchdowns.
Martin Luther scored on the opening drive of the game putting Morris in a quick 6-0 hole. The Cougars responded with a nine play drive setting up a 35 yard field goal by
John Hoff, a career long. After forcing a three and out the Morris offense went back to work.
Evan Guffey capped off an 11 play drive with an 11 yard touchdown run, putting the Cougars up 10-6. The Cougars converted two third downs and a fourth down on the drive.
The Knights came right back, scoring a touchdown just three minutes later. Minnesota Morris did the same scoring just two plays later as Griffin hit
Donnie Mavencamp for a 66 yard touchdown. It was the longest touchdown for the Cougars on the year.
The Morris defense had their backs against the wall when Martin Luther recovered a fumble at the 24 yard line of Morris. They did their job and the Knights faced a fourth and nine from the Cougars 23. MLC went for it but the pass play went nowhere and UMM took over with 10:36 left in the second half. Morris could not get much going and Martin Luther took over after a 55 yard punt by Mavencamp.
Quickly the Knights got the ball out near midfield and then a 49 yard run by their QB Matt Olson, put them on top 19-17. The Knights two point attempt failed keeping the game a two point difference. After an unsuccessful drive and a bad punt MLC was back on offense, starting at the fifty yard line. They took advantage, scoring on the seventh play of the drive and taking a 25-17 lead with about two minutes to play.
Chandler Erickson returned the kickoff 30 yards, setting up Morris at their 37 yard line with 1:56 left in the half. Unfortunately the Cougars could not get going and were forced to punt from their 45. The Knights took over at their 20 yard line after a touchback. They needed just three play to go 80 yards and take a 31-17 lead. The drive featured two 40 yard pass plays from Olson to Joshua Arndt.
Minnesota Morris took the opening drive of the second half into the end zone.
JC Cummings polished up an eight play drive from one yard out, bringing the Cougars within seven. Martin Luther came right back scoring five plays later.
Morris then coughed up the ball on the punt return and the Knights took over at the UMM 12. The Knights would score after a holding play to go up 44-24.
Tim Keller put the Knights up 51-24 early in the fourth to put the game away.
Andrew Fellows had a five yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter. As time expired Griffin found
Kyle Petermeier for a four yard pass and giving the Cougars their 36
th point of the game.
Cummings finished with 76 yards on the day. Guffey had 37 yards rushing and 92 yards receiving. Petermeier finished with five catches for 81 yards and a score.
Clayton Saiz finished with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Jeremy Sloneker led the team with ten tackles on Saturday.
Morris will be back at home next week when they look to rebound against Crown.
