MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Football team took on Westminster College in their second home game of the season. The Cougars came away from the day with a 32-7 victory, moving to 2-1 in the UMAC and 3-3 overall on the season. 

Minnesota Morris attempted to open up the scoring early in the first quarter. On a drive that started at 13:19, Ethan Klimek led the Cougars to as close as the Westminster 12-yard line, before an incomplete pass to Ethan Tang in the endzone forced a turnover on downs. On their second drive of the quarter, the Cougars were able to crack open the scoring with a 68 yard touchdown from Izayah Boss. The extra point kick from Logan Ahlers proved successful, giving the Cougars a 7-0 lead. Westminster made their presence felt, answering back with a touchdown on the following drive off a 27 yard pass. Tied at 7-7, Minnesota Morris went into the second quarter in possession of the ball. 

The Cougars were unable to score on their opening drive of the second quarter, but an interception from Juan "JT" Garza on Westminster's drive gave Minnesota Morris the ball back with 9:06 left on the clock. In a drive that shaved six minutes off the clock, the Cougars were unable to get within scoring range. Taking the field, the Cougar defense held Westminster near their own end zone, forcing a punt from their own six yard line. Starting their next scoring drive from the Westminster 18 with 1:49 on the clock, Boss rushed three times, finding the end zone and scoring his second touchdown of the game. Ahlers launched another kick through the uprights and the Cougars took back their lead at 14-7 with 00:33 seconds on the clock. 

Minnesota Morris found their next points of the game from a safety on Westminster's first drive of the third quarter. Ahead 16-7, the Cougars made another scoring campaign but were stopped short at the Westminster six yard line. The Cougar defense shut down the Blue Jay's offense on their next drive and the ball was in Minnesota Morris' possession a minute later at the UMM 34. Once again on the scoring campaign, the Cougar offense was brought to a halt at the Westminster three before a turnover on downs. With 1:41 on the clock, Westminster began their last drive of the quarter from their own 3-yard line. A QB hurry from Chayce Meyer forced another safety and brought the Cougar lead to 18-7. 

Starting the third quarter at the Westminster 22, the Cougars scored on their opening drive of the quarter. Klimek passed five yards to Jacob Miranda in the end zone for the third touchdown of the game for Minnesota Morris. Ahlers made his third extra point of the day, extending the lead to 25-7 in favor of the home team. Showing the impressive skill and power of the defense, the Cougars scored on the very next drive. Darrick Baartman forced a fumble at the UMM 12 that was recovered by Meyer for an 88-yard touchdown. Garza ran the length of the field with his teammate, providing quality blocks that allowed Meyer to find his way to the endzone. Ahlers once again took the field to kick, and the Cougars were up 32-7. The remainder of the game was scoreless for both teams, and the time expired with Minnesota Morris leading Westminster 32-7. 

Boss led the Cougar offense in rushing, gaining a total of 259 yards in 31 attempts and scoring two touchdowns. Klimek passed for 105 yards on the day in 22 attempts. Tang led the receivers on the day, catching three passes for 37 yards. Miranda also caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown in addition to returning two kick-offs for 79 yards. Ahlers was 4/4 on extra point attempts. 

Gregory Ohman led the defense for Minnesota Morris with eleven total tackles on the day. Meyer had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for six yards of loss, and one sack for loss. He also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery and forced two QB hurries. Garza had one tackle for loss on the day and one interception for 21 yards. 

Cougar Football heads back on the road to take on the University of Northwestern Oct. 19. The UMAC Game of the Week is scheduled for a 1:00 pm kick-off in St. Paul.