The Full Neal Deal

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (9/01/12)—Cobber sophomore quarterback Griffin Neal went from a raw rookie to a wily veteran in the span of 60 minutes as he helped Concordia outscore 42-26 in the 2012 season opener.

Neal, making his first collegiate start, went 12-for-16 and threw for three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and guided the Cobbers on three scoring drives that were 65 yards or longer. Neal finished with 144 passing yards and ran for 43 yards as well.

Neal's favorite target on the day was junior Ben Wolf who caught four passes for 61 yards including a 23-yard strike on the team's very first possession of the year. Neal also completed touchdown passes to Matt Peterson and Mark Whiting.

The Cobber ground game was in midseason form as well as the "Hogs" opened up holes which allowed the CC backs to rush for 211 yards on the day. Wolf carried the ball six times for 31 yards and also scored a TD on the ground. Senior fullback Brett Baune was the team's leading rusher as he battered his way to 71 total rushing yards on 16 carries. He also upped his career touchdown total. Baune rambled in from seven yards out at the start of the fourth quarter.  Luke Gotta scored the other TD of the day for the Cobbers he plunged in from three yards out to finish off the scoring late in the fourth period.

The Concordia defense allowed 349 yards of total offense and came away with one interception. Brent Rysdahl came up with the lone turnover of the afternoon for the Cobbers. Senior linebacker Peter Hvidston led all players with 21 tackles. Fellow linebacker Matt Moenkedick added 17 tackles in the season-opening win.

Concordia will open their 2012 schedule next Saturday when they host Buena Vista (Iowa) at 1 p.m. at Jake Christiansen Stadium.