MORRIS, Minn. - After playing their first three games outside the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Morris football team played in front of the home fans for the first time this season for the Homecoming game against Iowa Wesleyan. The Cougars started out fast and used a late touchdown to gain their first win of the season with a 13-7 victory over the Tigers in a UMAC contest at Big Cat Stadium. This marks the Cougars' fourth straight Homecoming win.

The game could not have gotten off to a better start for the Cougars. The defense held Iowa Wesleyan to a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game. On the first offensive play for the Cougars from the Iowa Wesleyan 48-yard line, Justin Masloski found a wide open Caleb Kemp at the 20 and he would go on to beat a Tiger defender into the end zone for a 6-0 UMM lead just 2:23 into the game.

It would remain 6-0 until the fourth quarter, but both teams had chances to put points on the scoreboard throughout the first three quarters. The Cougars drove 57 yards on 11 plays at the start of the second quarter, but the drive stalled at the IWU 25. Later in the quarter, Iowa Wesleyan drove to the UMM 29 before failing on a fourth down attempt following a 12-play, 55-yard drive.

The Cougars drove deep into Tiger territory to start the second half. A fourth down pass from Masloski fell incomplete at the IWU 18.

Iowa Wesleyan was finally able to score on the stout Cougar defense on a time-consuming drive in the fourth quarter. The Tigers drove 67 yards on 16 plays that ended with a 1-yard touchdown run from Stafford Lewis. The extra point gave IWU a 7-6 lead with 7:42 remaining. The drive ate up 7:04 of the clock.

The Cougars would counter quickly. Starting from their own 28, Masloski hit Kemp for an 18-yard completion. Masloski would hit later hit Nathan Sheridan and Carter Geyer for back-to-back six-yard receptions to the IWU 42. Kemp hit on another big play with a 30-yard scamper down to the 12. Two plays later, Masloski hit Branden Carlson for a touchdown to regain the lead for the Cougars at 13-7 with 4:58 remaining.

IWU would not cross into Cougar territory on their final two possessions.

Masloski had a great day throwing for 227 yards on 17-for-32 passing. Kemp rushed for 41 yards and had 66 yards receiving. Sheridan caught eight balls for 88 yards. Carter Wattenhofer was terror in the IWU backfield collecting three sacks. Joseph Loija led with 11 tackles.

Minnesota Morris (1-3, 1-1 in UMAC) will take this victory into their bye week. They next see the field Saturday, October 6 against Crown at Big Cat Stadium.