MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team will host Martin Luther College for its home opener on Saturday at 6 p.m., marking the start of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play.
 
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The Cougars were last in action on Sept. 20 in a nonconference matchup against Crown College. Quarterback Bryson Drake passed for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 43 yards and adding a touchdown on the ground. Sean-Keley Chinanga led the team in rushing with 91 yards and Cater Watnaas recorded 43 receiving yards. Defensively, Gregory Ohman paced the Cougars with 10 tackles (five solo, five assisted), while  Juan "JT" Garza III and Dino Villalobos each forced a fumble. Garza also blocked a punt.

At quarterback, Drake and Hayden Charboneau have split time. Drake leads the passing game with 172 yards and three touchdowns, while Charboneau has contributed 149 yards and one touchdown. Chinanga is averaging 3.5 yards per carry and has totaled 159 rushing yards. Watnaas leads the receiving corps with 134 yards and two touchdowns, including the team's longest play from scrimmage—a 72-yard reception.
 
On defense, Arian Saenz and Ohman lead the team in tackles with 30 and 29, respectively. The Cougars have recorded four sacks this season, with Dylan Young tallying two. The defense has forced five fumbles—two by Villalobos, and one each by Young, Garza, and Brenton Overall. Chayce Meyer and Jackson Viemeister have each recorded an interception.
 
Trever Cockerill leads the UMAC in average punt distance at 41.5 yards. He has three punts over 50 yards, with a long of 55. In the return game, Garza accumulated 195 yards, averaging 21.7 yards per return, with a long of 32. Christian Davis has made one field goal this season.
 
Martin Luther enters UMAC play with a 2-1 overall record, suffering its first loss two weeks ago to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 42-6. In the UMAC Preseason Coaches Poll, MLC was picked to finish third.
 
Sophomore quarterback Brady Turriff leads the Knights' offense with 572 passing yards and five touchdowns. He has a 61.2% completion rate and averages 190.7 yards per game. On the ground, Arthur Robinson has rushed for 194 yards, including a long run of 47. Senior wide receiver Thomas Koelpin leads the team with 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
 
Defensively, Thomas Balge leads MLC with 19 tackles, followed by Jeremiah Stanton with 13. The Knights have registered six sacks and forced six turnovers—one fumble and five interceptions. Ethan Melso and Trevor Hueske each have two picks.
 
In the most recent meeting between the teams, Minnesota Morris came out on top with a 41-7 victory at home. Drake passed for one touchdown and rushed for two more. However, Martin Luther leads the all-time series 17-7.