Cobbers Own MIAC Play of the Week Honors

MOORHEAD, Minn. (11/22/13)—Concordia continued its season long domination in the MIAC Play of the Week poll by winning for the seventh time in the final week of the season. No other MIAC school had more than one win in the conference's newest football feature.

"I am very happy for our players and fans," commented head coach Terry Horan. "I think it speaks volumes about our fan base. They are very active and committed to supporting the program."

The Cobbers' latest MIAC Play of the Week winner was the game-winning touchdown pass against Gustavus. Concordia junior quarterback Griffin Neal threaded a pass through two Gustie defenders and Jon Baune caught the ball and walked in for a 36-yard TD strike.

The MIAC Play of the Week feature was new to the conference website this season and generated more interest than originally expected. According to MIAC Assistant Executive Director Matt Higgins, the poll was a huge success because of the fans that follow MIAC football.

"In its first week we could already tell it was a huge success by the number of votes and the number of views we received on YouTube," Higgins remarked. "I chalk it up to the MIAC having an extremely passionate and dedicated football fan base, and the ability of our teams to spread the word and promote via social media."

Concordia's followers were at the top of the list when it came to supporting the Cobbers in the Play of the Week balloting. CC won the very first MIAC Play of the Week poll in the third week of the season. Brandon Zylstra earned that first win with his leaping touchdown run. Concordia then rattled off six other wins in the only other weeks they were nominated for Play of the Week honors.  

Higgins was impressed with Concordia's fans and the way they showed support of the team. He pointed to three different factors that helped the Cobbers prevail seven times.

"No. 1 - they did an awesome job getting the word out on social media," said Higgins. "Between the @CobberSID account, the Cobber football account and coaches, players and fans, they did a great job spreading the word and asking for their fans to check out the plays and vote. No. 2 - Concordia has a great fan base, and they did a great job showing their support through the Play-of-the-Week voting. No. 3 - the Cobbers had some outstanding highlights that also garnered votes beyond the reach of Cobber Nation. Many of the Cobber plays - Brandon Zylstra's hurdling touchdown, the blocked punt for a score or Griffin Neal's throw in the final week - were ESPN-worthy highlights and very deserving nominees each week."

The seven wins in the MIAC Play of the Week caps a tremendously successful season for Concordia. The Cobbers finished with an 8-2 overall mark and a 6-2 record in conference play. CC finished the year tied for second in the MIAC standings after being picked to finish in a tie for fourth place in the preseason coaches' poll.

Higgins summed up the MIAC Play of the Week competition and the 2013 football season by saying, "Concordia has much to be proud of with its 15 wins this season - eight on the field and seven in the Play-of-the-Week voting!"