University of Minnesota Morris Athletics

MORRIS, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Morris football team is back in the win column after defeating Greenville University 37-15 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon in Morris, Minn.
 
Minnesota Morris started with the ball at its own 26-yard line. A 10-yard rush by Bryson Drake on third-and-two moved the chains. He then connected with Andrew Holm for a nine-yard reception. Tyler Monson carried the ball seven times on the drive and found the end zone for the opening score.
 
On Greenville's first drive, Logan Ahlers got behind the line of scrimmage for an eight-yard loss. On fourth down, the long snapper snapped the ball over the punter's head and out of the end zone, extending the Cougar lead to nine.
 
Midway through the second quarter, UMM started at the Greenville 29-yard line following a punt return by Damaris Fields. Sean-Keley Chinanga rushed for 15 yards to start the drive. The Cougars found the end zone on the third play as Drake connected with Manny Guy for the score. A successful PAT by Ahlers made it 16-0.
 
On the next UMM drive, Monson got the Cougars inside the red zone with a 50-yard rush. Drake then found Guy in the end zone to extend the lead to 23-0 heading into halftime.
 
Greenville got on the board on its first drive of the third quarter, and a successful two-point conversion made it a two-score game. The Cougars had an answer. Rushes by Monson, Drake and Trajan Isaac set UMM up at the GU 30-yard line. Drake recorded his third passing touchdown of the game, connecting with Trent Roden for a 30-yard score.
 
A turnover by the Cougars set up the Panthers deep in UMM territory. On the first play of the drive, Dylan Young got to the quarterback and forced a fumble that he recovered. Chinanga followed with back-to-back rushes of more than 10 yards to move the Cougars across midfield. The drive finished with another Drake-to-Roden touchdown, this time covering 26 yards.
 
Greenville added another touchdown late, but it would not be enough as the Cougars secured the 37-15 victory.
 
Drake had an impressive performance with 151 passing yards and four touchdowns. The ground game totaled 297 rushing yards, with Monson leading the way with 151 yards and a touchdown. Chinanga followed with 75 yards. Roden led the team with 95 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Guy also added two touchdowns.
 
Defensively, UMM forced three fumbles, with Young, Arian Saenz and Jackson Viemeister each recording one. Derrick Dohmen led the defense with 12 tackles, while Ahlers followed with 10. The Cougars recorded four sacks, with Peyton Schlagel accounting for 1.5.
 
On special teams, Ahlers went 5-for-5 on PATs. Trever Cockerill had two punts, including one that pinned Greenville at its own five-yard line.
 
The Cougars hit the road next week as they travel to Crown College for a 1 p.m. kickoff.