MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team was defeated 34-15 by Crown College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon in Morris, Minn.
 
The Polars improved to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the UMAC, while the Cougars dropped to 2-6 overall and 2-3 in conference play.
 
The Cougars opened the game with the ball, and on the first play from scrimmage Bryson Drake rushed for nine yards, followed by a four-yard run by Sean-Keley Chinanga for a first down. A penalty backed Minnesota Morris into a 3rd-and-15 situation. Drake completed his first pass to Manny Guy but was short of the line to gain, ending the opening drive.
 
For much of the first quarter, neither offense generated momentum. In the final minute, Drake was sacked and fumbled, resulting in a scoop-and-score for the Polars for the first points of the game.
 
Crown added to its lead on the next possession, marching down the field for another touchdown. On the extra point attempt, Dino Villalobos blocked the kick, and Jackson Viemeister returned it 91 yards to make the score 13-2.
 
Minnesota Morris built on that momentum. A strong run from Chinanga moved the Cougars into Polar territory, and Drake later connected with Orion Knakmuhs for a 30-yard gain to set up a red-zone opportunity. Facing a 4th-and-2, the Cougars went for it, but Drake was sacked, turning the ball over on downs.
 
Before halftime, Crown found the end zone for the third time, extending the lead to 20-2.
 
Crown wasted no time adding to its advantage in the second half. A long return set them up for a 37-yard touchdown pass, stretching the lead to 25.
 
Late in the quarter, the Cougars pieced together their longest drive of the day. A pass interference call kept the drive alive and moved the ball across midfield. After a series of runs, Drake connected with Trent Roden for Minnesota Morris's first touchdown. The Cougars went for two but were unsuccessful.
 
On the next Crown drive, the Cougar defense forced a three-and-out, with Jesse Davies Jr. and Gregory Ohman contributing key tackles. However, UMM's ensuing possession lasted just one play, as the Polars intercepted a pass and scored on the following drive as time expired in the third quarter.
 
Minnesota Morris scored the final points of the game in the fourth quarter when Drake found Andrew Holm in the end zone. Logan Ahlers converted the extra point to finalize the score at 34-15.
 
Drake finished with 172 passing yards, 42 rushing yards, and two passing touchdowns. Cole Laitinen added 20 rushing yards. The receiving leaders were Guy (53 yards), Holm (41 yards), and Knakmuhs (30 yards).
 
Defensively, Ohman led the Cougars with 12 tackles and a forced fumble. Derrick Dohmen followed with seven tackles, while Dylan Young added six. Chayce Meyer and Davies combined for the team's lone sack.
 
The Cougars continue their homestand on Nov. 8 with a noon kickoff against Westminster College.