NEW ULM, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Football team traveled to take on Martin Luther in their first UMAC game of the season. The Cougars fell to the Knights, and sit 0-1 in conference play.

Minnesota Morris opened the scoring in this game on a drive that started with 12:18 left on the clock at the UMM 13. In a one play drive, Jacob Miranda completed a pass to Manny Guy who sped 87 yards to the Martin Luther endzone for a touchdown. Logan Ahlers' kick attempt sailed through the uprights, giving the Cougars a 7-0 lead. Martin Luther's first touchdown of the game came later in the first quarter. A blocked punt from Minnesota Morris gave the Knights the ball at the UMM 4 with 6:05 on the clock. A short pass into the end zone and a successful kick attempt tied up the score 7-7. Both teams put together two more drives in the quarter, but did not find the endzone to score.

Martin Luther was the first to get within scoring range in the second quarter, managing to get to the UMM 2 before being stopped short when Carter Maurice forced a fumble that was recovered by Darrick Baartman at the UMM 6. The Cougars were unable to get across midfield on their next drive, and Martin Luther took possession at the UMM 38 with 19 seconds on the clock. A deep pass to the endzone for a touchdown and an extra point gave Martin Luther a 14-7 lead going into halftime. 

Minnesota Morris' first drive of the third quarter began at 13:13 and brought them as close as the MLC 2 before a turnover on downs gave Martin Luther the ball with 6:34 left. After scoreless drives from both teams, the Knights' second to last drive of the quarter resulted in the Cougar's second touchdown of the day. Intercepting a pass at the MLC 31, JT Cook returned the ball 31 yards to score. Ahlers launched another kick through the uprights, tying up the score 14-14. Martin Luther's last drive was brought up short with tackles from Gregory Ohman and Alex Emmrich, as well as a sack for a loss of six yards from Dylan Young. 

The fourth quarter was a true battle, with both team's defenses locking down the opposing team's offensive drives. The Cougars made four drives in the quarter, getting as close as the MLC 22 in their scoring attempts. The final touchdown came from Martin Luther in their final drive of the game. Starting at the UMM 38 with 1:51 on the clock, the Knights reached the Cougar endzone with five seconds remaining on the clock. Martin Luther sealed the deal with an extra point, gaining a 21-14 lead. In a final attempt to score, Jacob Miranda returned the kickoff for an impressive 47 yards before the final horn blew with the Knights up 21-14 on the Cougars.

Hayden Charboneau led the Cougar offense at quarterback, completing seven passes for a total of 136 yards. Izayah Boss led Minnesota Morris in rushing with 94 yards in 22 attempts. Guy hauled in three passes for 118 yards and one touchdown. Ethan Tang caught three passes for 76 yards. 

Ohman was a dominant force for the Cougar defense, totaling up nine tackles on the day. Chayce Meyer came in just behind his teammate, making seven total tackles with two sacks for eighteen yards of loss. Meyer's two sacks today put him in the Cougar Football record book as the career sack leader. Tayven Penninger made six tackles and was involved in a pass breakup.

Cougar Football will come home Oct. 12 to take on Westminster in a noon game.