(Joliet, IL.) The Cardinals traveled to Joliet, Illinois on Saturday for their conference opener against the Fighting Saints of St. Francis University. The Mid-States Football Association League opener saw Concordia enter with a 2-2 record while Saint Francis came in at 3-1, and ranked 12th in the NAIA Coaches' Poll.
The action started after the Fighting Saints opening drive was stopped in three plays. On the fourth down punt, USF's Mikail Davis forced a Cardinal fumble, and recovered by Saint Francis for a touchdown. They would tack on two points for a score of 8-0. Both teams would exchange field position until mid-first quarter when USF orchestrated a 14 play 66-yard drive capped off by a 1-yard TD run. The 2-point conversion was not successful and Concordia University found themselves down 14-0.
Just before the half with two minutes left, Tyler Steele (JR/Garden City, MI) and the Cardinal offense moved the ball 76 yards on 9 plays for their first score of the day. Steele threw for 51 yards on the drive with Corey Turner (JR/Woodhaven, MI) finishing off the possession with a 1-yard run. Brayden Bennett (SO/Battle Creek, MI) completed the point after to pull closer at 14-7.
Saint Francis University extended their lead in the third with two more touchdowns. Ryne Van Gennep connected with Troy Torrence for a 14-yard touchdown pass, and Mitch Brozovich found Sheldon Magee for a 17-yard TD pass. Heading into the fourth, the score was 27-7 in favor of the Fighting Saints.
Van Gennep made another connection to Michael Lee for 53 yards and six points. After a successful kick, USF would be in control at 34-7. CUAA answered back with 3:22 remaining in the game when Steele found Blake Hilsabeck (FR/Flushing, MI) for 9 yards and a score. Bennett tallied up the extra point making the game 34-14.
The score remained that way for the rest of the day as the Saints improved to 4-1 on the year, and the Cards dropped to 2-3.
Steele led the attack through the air this week collecting 232 yards on 29 completions in 52 attempts, and added one touchdown. The Cards had three receivers haul in five catches, Corey Turner, Blake Hilsabeck, and Darionta Ross (SO/Richton Park, IL) with 41, 39, and 21 yards respectively.
On defense, the Cardinals were led by Senior Takari Johnson (SR/Lansing, MI), who was coming off of Player of the Week Honors. Johnson tallied 14 total tackles with six coming as solos. Ty Peterson (SO/Milan, MI) made 11 tackles for the Cards on the day and added one sack while DeMarcus Bunn (SO/Belleville, MI) forced a turnover with an interception.
Concordia University will be home next Saturday as they take on Taylor University. The Cards will look to improve their record and collect their first MSFA win of the year. We hope to see all #CardinalCrazies out for the game. Be sure to stay up to date on all of CUAA's athletic teams by going to @CUAACardinals on Twitter or follow along by downloading the GoCardinals! app on your iOS or Android device.
Go Cards!
