MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team ran roughshod over visiting Finlandia University on Saturday in a 28-12 Homecoming victory. The Cougars improve to 3-3 (2-0 UMAC) with the win.

The UMN Morris defense once again played a crucial role in the victory and Mondo Calderon was at the center of the action much of the day. On Finlandia's opening drive, the Lions had moved into Cougar territory when Calderon intercepted a screen pass and returned it to the Finlandia 45-yard line. Minnesota Morris scored six plays later with a two-yard touchdown run from Blake Johnson and an Alex Happ extra point to make it 7-0.

The second Finlandia drive ended with a missed 33-yard field goal, but the Lions got on the board early in the second quarter on their third drive of the game. Finlandia had a short field following a Minnesota Morris fumble and went 52 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Miles to Jordin Haley. The extra point was blocked by the Cougars to stay out in front, 7-6.

A bad snap on a Minnesota Morris punt set Finlandia up with the ball inside the Cougar 20-yard line before Isaiah Henderson intercepted a Miles pass in the end zone. Following the touchback, Minnesota Morris extended its lead to 14-6 on a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Most of the damage came on the ground, with Izayah Boss ripping off a 21-yard gain to put the Cougars in the red zone and Blake Johnson scoring his second touchdown of the day from four yards out, making it 14-6 at the break.

The Cougars received the second-half kickoff and proceeded to once again run it right at Finlandia's defense. A 67-yard touchdown ensued, with Boss finishing it off from a yard out to open up a 21-6 edge on the Lions.

Late in the third quarter, Finlandia had embarked on a long drive that had the Lions in the Cougar red zone once again, but the defense held. This time it was a bobbled snap by Finlandia that ended up on the turf and Calderon was on the spot to fall on it and give the possession back to Minnesota Morris. 

With time working against Finlandia in the fourth quarter, the Lions were forced to go for it on a fourth down near midfield. Calderon burst through the line and put pressure on Finlandia quarterback Nahum Garent, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Lions but still resulted in a turnover on downs. 

From there, Minnesota Morris put the game on ice with a short touchdown drive capped by a three-yard run from Boss to make it 28-6 with less than seven minutes remaining. Finlandia was able to score with less than two minutes remaining, but Cameron Whitney corralled the onside kick attempt that followed and the Cougars ran out the rest of the clock.

Marcus Reeb finished the day going 7-of-16 for 76 yards through the air, with seven carries for 22 yards on the ground. Boss ran 27 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while Blake Johnson carried it 14 times for 105 yards and two scores. Keyton Johnson also chipped in four carries for 88 yards. Whitney was the leading receiver for the Cougars with two catches for 22 yards.

The defense was led by Hunter Infanger with 17 tackles (eight solo). Gavin Paulson added 13 tackles (two solo) and Alex Emmrich had 10 stops (one solo). Calderon finished the day with an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a sack. Garrett Elison and Chayce Meyer also had forced fumbles in the contest.

UMAC play continues on Oct. 15 with Minnesota Morris making a trip to St. Bonifacius to take on Crown College at 12 p.m.