University of Minnesota Morris Athletics

MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team was defeated 24-21 by Martin Luther College on a late field goal in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in Morris, Minn.
 
The first quarter was scoreless. The biggest play of the opening quarter was an 11-yard rush by Bryson Drake to move the chains.
 
The game would not remain scoreless for much longer, as the Knights found the end zone on the first drive of the second quarter. On their following drive, they made it a two-possession game with another touchdown.
 
The Cougar defense stopped MLC on its next drive, forcing a turnover on downs at the UMM 38-yard line. With just over a minute remaining in the half, Minnesota Morris started marching down the field. A 14-yard reception by Manny Guy and a 14-yard rush by Sean-Keley Chinanga moved the chains. A pass to Andrew Holm got the Cougars into the red zone. UMM found the end zone on a Drake-to-Guy connection. Logan Ahlers converted the extra point to make the score 14-7 heading into halftime.
 
The Knights restored their two-score lead midway through the third quarter, but the Cougars had an answer. During the drive, Drake had a 16-yard rush before completing a 37-yard pass to Guy. Tyler Monson rushed up the middle for the score, and Ahlers converted the extra point.
 
Five minutes into the fourth quarter, the Cougars tied the game. The MLC quarterback dropped back to pass, and Damaris Fields got to him, forcing a fumble. Dylan Young picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown. Ahlers made his third extra point of the game to tie the score at 21-21.
 
The Knights took over on the Cougar side of the field after a muffed punt. On the first play following the muff, Jackson Viemeister intercepted a pass. On the ensuing drive, Monson carried the ball on four consecutive plays, gaining four, eight, seven, and 21 yards. Chinanga followed with an 11-yard rush to reach the MLC 29-yard line. The Cougars advanced to the 26-yard line for a field goal attempt by Ahlers, but his kick fell short, giving the ball back to MLC. The Knights drove down the field and kicked the game-winning field goal to secure a 24-21 victory.
 
At quarterback, Drake completed 15 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown. Monson rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown, while Drake and Chinanga added 54 and 42 rushing yards, respectively. Guy led the receivers with 64 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Young found the end zone on a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Arian Saenz set a career high with 20 tackles, the fifth-most in program history. The Cougars forced three turnovers, with interceptions by Derrick Dohmen and Viemeister and a forced fumble by Fields. Fields also recorded UMM's only sack.
 
The Cougars travel to Westminster College next week for a 12 p.m. kickoff.