Interceptions Prove Costly in Cougars' Loss to Concordia Cardinals
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) (4-6) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
|
Concordia (MI) (5-5) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 27 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Saturday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (4-6; 2-5 MSFA MEL) wrapped up the 2022 season when they traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to take on the Concordia University Cardinals (5-5; 4-3 MSFA MEL) but struggled on offense as they fell 27-10.
Opening the game, the Cougars started out with the ball but both offenses opened with a punt. Then on their second possession of the game, freshman quarterback Garrett Yoon guided the offense down the field, and it paid off with a 24-yard field goal by senior kicker Jack James to give Saint Francis a 3-0 lead early in the first.
However, the Cardinals answered right back on their next possession.
The Cougars defense struggled to stop the run game by Concordia as the drive ended with a one-yard touchdown run as the Cougars fell behind 7-3.
Both defenses then stepped up for the next several minutes and unfortunately for the Cougars, a couple of interceptions thrown ended their next two offensive possessions as the game entered the second quarter with Saint Francis trailing by four.
Matters didn't get any better opening the second frame as the Cardinals intercepted Yoon for the third straight possession and this time cashed in with a seven-yard touchdown rush to extend their lead to 13-3.
Once again both defenses stepped up and made the plays they needed to make as the first half winded down with just 16 points scored throughout the game. The game finally went to halftime with Saint Francis trailing by 10.
The Cougars did manage 113 yards of offense during the first half, but the three interceptions prevented any such momentum.
Heading into the second half the script remained unchanged as both the Cougars and Cardinals saw no scoring in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. The Cougars tried for a 31-yard field goal, but it missed in their first possession.
As the third quarter entered the final minute, another interception thrown this time by senior quarterback Heath Simmons gave the ball right back to the Cardinals, and the third quarter came to an end as no scoring was done by either team in the frame.
Then starting the fourth quarter, matters only worsened for the Cougars. Just two plays in, the Cardinals appeared to put the game out of reach with an 85-yard touchdown run to pull ahead 20-3. Then with the Cougars back on offense, another interception thrown by Simmons this time resulted in a pick-six by the Cardinals as they extended their lead to 24 points, now ahead 27-3 just three minutes into the frame.
With the Cougars on their final offensive drive, Simmons connected this time with wide receiver Eli Patchett for a 10-yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-10, and that's how it ended as the Cougars suffered the loss after a tough opening to the fourth quarter.
Throughout the game the Cougars managed 286 yards on offense with 166 in the air and 120 on the ground. Defensively, defensive end AJ Moore led the way in tackles with 10 including three tackles for a loss.
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