MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Football team took on the Greenville University Panthers in Big Cat Stadium. The Cougars lost the matchup 27-42, moving their UMAC record to 1-3 with a 2-5 overall record on the season.

Both teams put up a tough fight in the beginning of this UMAC contest, with both defenses forcing punts in the first two drives of the game. Greenville was the team that opened the scoring in this tough matchup, running the time off the clock in a drive that started at 8:47 from their own 20-yard line and ended in a touchdown with 00:52 seconds left on the clock. Down 0-7, Minnesota Morris maintained possession of the ball, despite a fumble on the last play, and closed out the quarter at the Greenville 39.

The Panthers scored their second touchdown of the game on their opening drive of the second quarter. Taking five minutes off the clock, Greenville drove the ball from their own 25-yard line to the Cougar endzone to widen their lead to 14-0. Forcing a fumble on kick-off, the Panthers were able to maintain possession for another scoring drive. Shaving another three minutes off the clock, Greenville scored their third touchdown for a 21-0 lead. Forcing a fumble on the Cougar's next possession, Greenville regained possession early. Minnesota Morris' defense locked down the Panthers as clutch tackles from Carter Maurice and Brenton Overall stopped Greenville short at their own 45-yard line. Unfortunately the Cougars could not capitalize on the momentum, and the Panther's defense held Minnesota Morris to their own 16-yard line. Starting their drive with 1:12 on the clock at the UMM 45-yard line, Greenville University made their way to the endzone and established a commanding 28-0 lead going into halftime.

Starting the third quarter in possession of the football, Minnesota Morris could not break through the Panther's defense and turned over possession with a punt to their own 45-yard line. Greenville took advantage of their position, putting together a three play drive that resulted in a touchdown and a score of 35-0. Forcing a punt on the Minnesota Morris drive that started at 8:42, the Panthers fumbled the return and a clutch recovery from Ethan Tang allowed the Cougars to maintain possession of the ball at Greenville's 37-yard line. Minnesota Morris took advantage of their possession and put together their first scoring drive of the game. Bryson Drake, playing quarterback for the Cougars, found Cole Mitchell in the endzone for a five-yard touchdown pass. The kick attempt from Logan Ahlers missed the uprights but Minnesota Morris put their first points on the board for the game, closing the scoring gap to 6-35. Jaymeson Travis' kickoff remained onside, and the Cougar offense took control of the ball for the third straight drive. An interception at 4th and 2 gave Greenville the ball, which they capitalized on by scoring a touchdown with 0:15 seconds left on the clock. The Panthers expanded their lead to 42-6 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Minnesota Morris opened the fourth quarter in possession at their own 10-yard line, and shaved five minutes off the clock with a successful scoring drive. Drake rushed eleven yards for a first down, and the Cougar offense earned three first downs in a row on the drive with completed passes to Tang, Manny Guy, and Izayah Boss. Jacob Miranda found Tang just outside of the endzone for a fifth first down. Drake finished up the drive with a deep pass to Mitchell in the endzone for a second touchdown on the day. Ahler's extra point attempt sailed through the uprights, and Minnesota Morris took the score to 13-42. Regaining possession with 3:40 on the clock at their own 32-yard line, Minnesota Morris made a successful scoring campaign. Tang kicked off the drive by hauling in a catch at the Greenville 29-yard line. Sean-Keley Chinanga rushed 27 yards for the Cougars in four plays on the drive, finishing with a 2-yard touchdown rush. Ahlers made his second extra point of the day, giving the Cougars 20 points. Jaymeson kicked his second onside kick of the day, and Minnesota Morris regained possession at Greenville's 38 with 0:46 seconds on the clock. The Cougars put together a drive that lasted 23 seconds, and ended with Drake finding Tang in the endzone for the fourth Cougar touchdown of the day. A successful extra point attempt closed the scoring gap to 42-27 in favor of Greenville. Time in the fourth quarter expired with the Panthers in possession of the ball and ahead of Minnesota Morris in scoring 42-27. 

Drake threw 134 yards for the Cougars, completing twelve passes and throwing three touchdown passes. He also led the Cougars in rushing with 100 yards in sixteen attempts. Tang led Minnesota Morris in receiving yards, totaling up 93 while hauling in five receptions including a touchdown. Mitchell pulled in two touchdown passes for a total of 25 yards. Jaymesson punted six times for the Cougars for a total of 223 yards and kicked off four times for 119 yards and two onside kicks. Miranda returned three kickoffs for 51 yards. Ahlers went three for four on extra point attempts for Minnesota Morris. 

Alex Emmrich made ten tackles on the day with o.5 tackles for two yards of loss. Darrick Baartman, Carter Maurice, and Gregory Ohman each earned five solo tackles and 2 assists for a total of seven apiece. Maurice also had one tackle for three yards of loss. Overall earned six tackles and had a sack that totaled up thirteen yards of loss. Tayven Penninger made five tackles and tacked on a pass breakup for Minnesota Morris. 

The Cougars will travel to St. Bonifacius to take on the Crown College Polars Oct. 2. The game is scheduled for a 4 pm kick-off.