MORRIS, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Morris Football team shut out the Martin Luther Knights until the end of the fourth quarter to finish their season with a dominant victory. The Cougars earned a record of 5-5 overall and 4-3 in UMAC play on the year. 

Both teams battled to open the scoring in the first quarter of this conference matchup, with the Cougars getting as close as Martin Luther's 11-yard line but not being able to find the endzone. The Minnesota Morris defense kept the Knight's offense at bay, giving up just twelve yards and in three attempted drives. 

On a drive continuing from the first quarter, the Cougars broke open the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown from Izayah Boss. Logan Ahlers launched his first extra point attempt of the day through the uprights to give Minnesota Morris a 7-0 lead. The Cougar defense was quick to regain possession of the ball with a sack from Tyler Baumgartner that forced a turnover on downs at the UMM40. Drives stayed short for both teams as the quarter went on. Martin Luther was able to regain a muffed punt at the UMM17, but a forced fumble by Darrick Baartman, recovered by Carter Maurice, stopped the Knights from scoring. Minnesota Morris led 7-0 heading into halftime. 

Gaining possession of the ball with 10:04 on the clock, the Cougars put together their second scoring drive of the day. Sitting at 1st and goal and the MLC1, the offensive line pushed Soren Prose into the endzone to find a 13-0 lead. Minnesota Morris took back possession on the opening play of Martin Luther's next drive. Johntavious "JT" Cook forced a fumble that was recovered by Dylan Young at the MLC26. The Cougar offense took the field again and scored when Bryson Drake rushed 25 yards to the endzone. Ahlers' second kick attempt was good. Up 20-0, Minnesota Morris found their momentum. Alex Emmrich forced a fumble that was recovered by Tayven Penninger at the MLC49. Boss took the rock all the way to the house on a 49-yard rush for his second touchdown of the day. Ahlers' kick put the Cougars up 27-0. Young forced a fumble on the Knight's last drive of the quarter that was recovered by Emmrich to give the Minnesota Morris offense the ball back heading into the fourth quarter. 

Starting off the fourth quarter to the MLC10, Drake rushed down the middle to score his second touchdown of the matchup. The Cougars jumped out to a 34-0 lead thanks to Ahlers' kick. The Minnesota Morris defense forced yet another turnover on the following drive. Dayton Allery sacked the Knights' quarterback and the ball was recovered by Maurice at the MLC 16. Drake found Tang in the endzone for a 16-yard touchdown pass and the Cougars' final touchdown of the game. The Cougars took a 41-0 lead over Martin Luther, burying the Knights in the scoring gap. Martin Luther scored their first and only touchdown of the game on a drive starting with 5:15 on the clock. Moving the ball from their own 37-yard line to the UMM15, a 15-yard pass was all the Knights needed to score. With neither team able to score, the Cougars sang the rouser to celebrate a 41-7 victory in their last game of the season.

Drake totaled up 108 passing yards in eleven attempts, including one touchdown. He also had 96 rushing yards on the day and took the ball in for two touchdowns. Boss led the Cougars in rushing yards with 136 and scored two touchdowns. Tang hauled in eight receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown. 

Emmrich totaled up thirteen tackles in his final outing as a Cougar. Young and Maurice both earned six tackles on the day, with Young making two sacks and Maurice making two fumble recoveries. Baartman and Penninger made two pass breakups to aid in the Minnesota Morris victory. 

Jaymeson Travis punted five times for the Cougars for a total of 153 yards. He also kicked off for 373 yards in seven attempts and earned three touchbacks. Ahlers went 5-6 in field goal attempts on the day.