University of Minnesota Morris Athletics

FULTON, Mo. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team fell to Westminster College 55-34 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in Fulton, Mo.
 
The Cougars started the game with the ball. After rushes by Tyler Monson and a 14-yard reception by Trent Roden, UMM crossed midfield. A sack pushed the Cougars back 11 yards, resulting in a punt. On Westminster's opening drive, the Blue Jays covered 70 yards for a touchdown.
 
After the Cougars went three-and-out on offense, Peyton Schlagel intercepted a pass and returned it 13 yards for a touchdown. Logan Ahlers converted the extra point to tie the game. However, it did not take long for the Blue Jays to regain the lead, finding the end zone in just four plays.
 
Facing a third-and-long deep in their own territory, Bryson Drake found Manny Guy for a 17-yard reception to move the chains. The drive continued into the second quarter, with rushes by Sean-Keley Chinanga and Monson keeping it alive. The Cougars converted another third down on a 26-yard pass to Brody Kircher. UMM reached the two-yard line after Jacob Wilmes gained nine yards on a reception. Monson punched it in for a touchdown, and a successful extra point tied the game at 14-14.
 
The Blue Jays extended their lead to 20 points by scoring touchdowns on three consecutive drives. In the final minute of the first half, Nick Brandner intercepted a pass and returned it for another Cougar pick-six, sending the game into halftime with Westminster leading 34-20.
 
The Blue Jays continued to extend their lead in the third quarter. Late in the quarter, the Cougars drove down the field with rushes by Monson and a 14-yard reception by Andrew Holm. Following a defensive pass interference penalty, Drake rushed for 11 yards and a touchdown. The Blue Jays then returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for the final score of the third quarter.
 
On the Cougars' final drive of the game, they started at their own 19-yard line with one minute remaining. A facemask penalty, a pair of completions by Drake, and a rush by Monson moved UMM across midfield. Drake then found Roden for a 24-yard gain before connecting with him again for a 22-yard touchdown, accounting for the final points of the game as the Cougars fell 55-34.
 
Drake totaled 208 passing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. Monson recorded 79 rushing yards and a touchdown. Through the air, Roden had a career-high 60 receiving yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, Damaris Fields recorded a team-high 10 tackles, while Derick Dohmen and Jessie Davies Jr. followed with six each. Brandner and Schlagel each returned an interception for a touchdown. Schlagel and Davies Jr. combined for a sack.
 
The Cougars return home next week to host Greenville University at noon.