Game Photo Gallery - courteous of Keepers By Kelly
(Ann Arbor, MI) - Despite the loss in their season opener, CUAA football made history and marked a new beginning. Last season was a year for firsts in the Concordia Football Program under first year head coach Lonnie Pries. The 2014 season would open with another first, as the Cards took to action on their brand new Cardinal Football Field.
Concordia won the coin toss and elected to receive. The ensuing kickoff was a touchback giving the Cardinals field position at their own 25. The Cardinals first play from scrimmage was a rush for no gain by Ashton Hundley (SO/Ypsilanti, MI). After an offside call on TIU and a false start on CUAA, junior quarterback Beau Perry (JR/Anaheim Hills, CA) connected with Kevin Brown-Bayko (FR/Garden City, MI) for 7 yards. The drive would result in a Danny Baum (SO/Brownstown, MI) 36-yard punt after a third down incomplete pass.
The Cardinals defense was hungry early as they forced a Trojan turnover in their first possession. Sophomore Nick Holshoe (SO/Allegan, MI) picked up his first interception of the year after Trojan quarterback, Stephen Anderson, dropped back to pass. Concordia's offense was unable to capitalize, and gave the ball back to the Trojan offense.
After another stop on defensive side by Concordia, Perry orchestrated a 16 play, 57-yard drive that would result in the first score of the day, as Brayden Bennett (SO/Battle Creek, MI) would kick a 41-yard field goal. The 41 yard shot was Bennett's longest of his career and the second longest in Concordia history (Noel Miller -45 yard field goal in 2011 vs. Marian Unviersity). Cardinal QB Beau Perry was 7 for 11 on the drive and added an additional 14 yards on one carry.
Trinity International answered back 2 possessions later after Brad Badali intercepted a Concordia pass. On the next play from scrimmage Stephen Anderson completed a 26-yard pass to Courtney Johnson. After a successful PAT the score was 7-3.
The Trojans would add another score in the second quarter after a blocked punt by Kuziah Ferebee. Darwin Stone would recover the blocked punt and run it 45 yards for the touchdown.
In the Trojan's first possession of the second half, Anderson put together an 11-play, 43-yard drive that would end in a missed field goal. Two possessions later, Anderson would connect with Cory Windle for his second touchdown pass of the day. Just before the end of the third quarter, TIU capitalized on a Justin Hackley interception bringing on the start of fourth quarter with a score of 28-3 in favor of Trinity International.
The Cards offense would struggle in fourth quarter on their first three possessions, running 12 plays for 19 yards. After 3 more Trojan touchdowns, Concordia put together a 12-play, 59-yard drive with junior Tyler Steele (JR/Garden City, MI) under center. The drive would halt inside the Trojans 20 after a 4th and 7 pass fell incomplete at the TIU 16.
Concordia would not regain possession of the ball, and TIU would run out the clock with a final score of Trinity International 49, Concordia University 3.
The Cardinals mustered 268 total yards on offense with 227 of those yards through the air, and 41 yards on the ground. Beau Perry would throw for 198 yards on 21 completions in 48 attempts. Tyler Steele added another 29 yards on 5 completions in 9 attempts. Concordia receivers were led by Corey Turner, (JR/Woodhaven, MI) as he hauled in 11 catches for 94 yards. Sophomore Doug Dufrin (SO/Williamston, MI) had 4 catches for a total of 54 yards. Defensively, the Cards were led by senior linebacker Takari Johnson (SR/Lansing, MI) with 6 solo tackles, 6 assists, and 1 sack on the day. Nick Holshoe tallied 5 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 1 interception for the CUAA defense.
The Cardinals will look to bounce back next week on Homecoming as they take on the Ravens of Anderson University. The game will be played on September 13th beginning at 1:00pm. We hope to see all of the CardinalCrazies out for the game. If you cannot make it to the game, be sure to download the Go Cardinals App on your iOS or Android device and follow along with our live feed of the game.
Go Cards!
