NEW ULM, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team was defeated 36-14 in its final game of the season by Martin Luther College in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in New Ulm, Minn.
 
The Cougars finish the season with a 3-7 overall record and 3-4 mark in the UMAC, while the Knights conclude at 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference play.
 
On the opening drive, the Knights marched 60 yards in four minutes to open the scoring on a five-yard passing touchdown. On their next possession, they had a chance to go up two scores but missed a field goal in the red zone.
 
The Cougars then began to build momentum. On third-and-eight, Hayden Charboneau found Bryson Drake for an eight-yard completion to move the chains. Orion Knakmuhs added a 12-yard reception to keep the drive alive. The drive stalled at midfield, and on the final play of the half, Juan "JT" Garza III punted the ball away, setting up the MLC offense at its own 16-yard line.
 
The Minnesota Morris defense forced a three-and-out, and on the ensuing punt UMM blocked it. Carter Watnaas scooped up the loose ball and scored, with Christian Davis converting the PAT to tie the game.
 
MLC regained the lead on its next drive, converting a 25-yard field goal to go ahead 10-7.
 
Garza returned the ensuing kickoff 32 yards, giving the Cougars strong field position at their own 47. After a seven-yard loss on a rush, Charboneau connected with Watnaas over the middle for a 38-yard gain. Derek Hoglin then rushed up the middle to move UMM into the red zone. The Cougars went for it on fourth-and-two, but an incomplete pass turned the ball over at the MLC 3.
 
Pinned deep, the Knights broke loose for a 73-yard run on second-and-eight, with Arian Saenz making a touchdown-saving tackle. Minnesota Morris held strong and stopped the Knights on fourth down to keep it a three-point game.
 
On Martin Luther's first drive of the second half, the Knights converted on fourth down at midfield and eventually kicked a field goal to extend the lead. The margin grew further when Charboneau was sacked and fumbled, leading to a Knights touchdown that made it 19-7.
 
Late in the third quarter, the Cougars were deep in their own territory. On fourth down, UMM executed a fake punt, with Garza rushing for five yards—just enough for a first down. On the final play of the quarter, Oscar Weah Jr. broke free for a 27-yard run, setting the Cougars up at the two-yard line.
 
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Hoglin powered up the middle for a two-yard touchdown, and Logan Ahlers added the PAT.
 
However, costly interceptions widened the Knights' lead. One turnover set up a short touchdown drive, and another resulted in a pick-six, extending the score to 33-14. Martin Luther added one more field goal to finish with a 36-14 victory.
 
Charboneau led the Cougars with 96 passing yards and 34 rushing yards. Weah Jr. totaled a team-high 40 rushing yards, while Knakmuhs accounted for 47 receiving yards.
 
Defensively, Gregory Ohman recorded 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. Saenz added nine tackles, and Chayce Meyer also registered a sack.
 
On special teams, Garza punted for 173 yards with a long of 51 and added 72 return yards, including a long of 32.