(Ann Arbor, MI) The Concordia football team tied a program record Saturday afternoon winning their 5th game of the 2016 season, a 34-14 victory over Taylor University. The Cardinals were a force on the ground all day gaining 349 rushing yards to go with 127 through the air for 486 total offensive yards. On the other side of the ball, the Concordia defense held the Trojans to 292 total yards and two scores while picking off three passes.
Joe Conner (SO/Flat Rock, MI) ran with power throughout the game and set a new Concordia record with 248 rushing yards on 25 touches. Offensive coordinator, Andrew Rode, applauded the offensive line and Conner's powerful running style for his record breaking performance. "Joe gave a lot of credit to the offensive line after the game. His running was powerful and fast as we rode on his back for most of the touchdowns we had in the game."
On the team's first possession, Conner went for 11 and 24 yards on the first two plays to put the ball in the red zone. He capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown carry to give the Cardinals an early lead at 11:35. Conner's second 2-yard TD run made it a two-score game at 27-14 early in the 4th quarter.
The Trojans scored a touchdown in the second and third quarters, but the Concordia defense limited their opportunities for any other scores. Timothy Iltis (SO/Davenport, IA) forced a three-and-out to start the game with a big sack on third down to give CUAA the momentum. Three of the six Taylor drives in the first half ended with a punt, and another two were stopped by interceptions. Ra-Heem Hill (SO/Detroit, MI) picked off Everett Pollard early in the second quarter and Matthew Crews (SO/Madison Heights, MI) cut off a Trojan scoring opportunity just before halftime with an interception in the end zone. Crews wasn't done, with Taylor threatening late in the fourth the sophomore again took the ball away and gave the Cardinals the ball on the 25.
Seniors Ty Peterson (SR/Milan, MI) and Nick Holshoe (SR/Hopkins, MI) led the defensive racking up 11 and 10 tackles, respectively. Peterson added a sack on 2nd and 10 in the fourth quarter that set up a Trojan punt. The Cardinals took over in Taylor territory and four plays later Tyler Fehler (JR/Fruitport, MI) hit Bryant Hudson (JR/Flint, MI) and a quick slant for a 4-yard touchdown catch that sealed the 34-14 win. Fehler completed 11 of 16 passes for 137 yards and also ran for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Brayden Bennett (SR/Battle Creek, MI) connected on two field goals in the first half that helped the Cardinals pull ahead for a 20-7 halftime lead. The senior was successful from 32 yards at the end of the first quarter, 24 at the end of the second, and was also 4-4 on PATs.
The win improves the Cardinal's record to 5-3 (2-1 MSFA Mideast) with three games left to play. The team will be on the road next weekend to Marian, Indiana to face the undefeated and defending NAIA National champions, #1 Marian University.
