MORRIS, Minn. – For the first time since 2006 Minnesota Morris (3-2, 3-1 UMAC) walked out of Big Cat Stadium with a homecoming victory, beating MacMurray (1-3, 1-3 UMAC) 44-43. Morris rushed for 333 yards on the day, the most since October 26, 2008. Devan Griffin (125) and JC Cummings (104) became the first tandem to have 100+ yards rushing in a single game since Leandro Dower and Todd Gramenz in 2011.
 
The game could not have started better for the Cougars. They took their first drive down to the 6 yard line and got a 23 yard field goal by John Hoff. Morris went for an onside kick and recovered it. Just three plays later Donnie Mavencamp scampered for an eight yard touchdown to put the Cougars up 10-0.
MacMurray responded in their next drive with a 22 yard field goal to make it 10-3.
 
The Cougars finished the first quarter with 118 yards rushing, including 60 by JC Cummings.
 
Early in the second quarter Cummings made it 16-3 with a 22 yard run up the middle to finish off a nine play, 65 yard drive. Things turned around after that. A UMM fumble in the end zone gave the Highlanders an easy touchdown, pulling them to within six. On their next possession MacMurray took the lead thanks to a couple nice catches by tight end Zach Mudd, including a 30 yard reception for a touchdown.
 
The Cougars had a chance to take the lead with under two minutes to go but the pass was intercepted at the three yard line and it appeared the Cougars would go into the half trailing by one.
 
However, the Morris defense stepped in and forced a punt with under a minute to play. The punt return team went after the kick and Willie Fust got a hand on the punt defecting backward. Austin Adams picked up the ball at the six yard line and took it to the house, putting the Cougars up 22-17 after an unsuccessful two point attempt.
 
Morris finished the half with 247 yards of total offense, including 161 yards rushing. JC Cummings had 81 yards on seven carries.
 
On the first drive of the second half MacMurray took the lead back on a long run after the running back stayed alive by landing on UMM defender. The Highlanders extended their lead to eight with a one yard touchdown run with 2:13 left in the third quarter.
 
Minnesota Morris was able to answer back. Mavencamp took the ball and kept the play alive, switching fields and finding a seam after a lengthy route in the backfield. He was able to find some blockers and went into the end zone for a 17 yard run. Griffin then found Kyle Petermeier in the end zone for the two point conversion, tying the game at 30.
 
MacMurray didn't take long to respond, going on a ten play, 65 yard drive to score just four minutes later.
 
Both teams were forced to punt on their next drives so the Cougars took over with 6:48 left in the game and down 37-30. Chandler Erickson had a 19 yard punt return to set Morris up on the Highlanders 35 yard line. Griffin started the drive with back-to-back completions to Petermeier moving the ball to the 25. An 18 yard run by Griffin set the Cougars up with a first and goal at the three. Mavencamp was stopped at the one and then a false start pushed UMM back to the six. The penalty did not hurt the Cougars as Griffin went in from six yards out on the next play.
 
The Morris defense forced MacMurray to punt after just three plays on the ensuing drive. The Highlanders attempted to punt from their 33 but the snap was bad and Sergio Natividad tackled the punter at the 11 and the Cougars took possession.
 
Once again Griffin made the big play putting the Cougars up with an 11 yard rush on the first play. Hoff made the extra point and UMM led 44-37 with 2:35 left.
 
The Highlanders could not get anything going on their next drive and Morris took over at the MAC 35 after four plays. Morris needed to just run out the clock for the win but they fumbled on the first play from scrimmage giving MacMurray a second life. They took advantage of that opportunity going on an eight play, 62 yard drive in 1:10. The touchdown came with ten seconds left and MacMurray went for the win. The two point attempt was snuffed out by the Cougars defense which meant MacMurray now needed to get the onside kick. It was not their day however as Natividad grabbed the kick and Morris hung on for a 44-43 win.
 
Griffin finished with 193 yards of total offense on the afternoon. Petermeier had 36 yards receiving on five catches.
 
Defensively Natividad led the Cougars with 13 tackles and one huge tackle for loss. Shain Powers and Jacob Wirz each had 12 tackles on the day.
 
Minnesota Morris will head to Martin Luther next week in search of their third straight win of the season.