A Beautiful Bounce Back Win

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/10/16)--- Concordia racked up 295 yards on the ground and avoided it's first 0-2 start since 2006 with a huge 25-7 bounce back win against Wis.-Eau Claire. 

The Cobbers returned to their roots to outgain the Blugolds 380-304 in total offense and the 295 rushing yards was the opposite of what Eau Cliare allowed in their season opener. Last week the Blugolds only allowed 92 rushing yards to the vaunted St. Thomas rushing game. 

A trio of junior backs led the CC ground game. Dane Ringquist paced the Cobbers with 106 yards on seven carries while Jason Montonye added 92 yards on nine rushes. Chad Johnson also found the end zone twice on 12 rushes for 44 yards. 

Concordia scored on its first two possessions of the game and three of the first four times they got their hands on the ball. Montonye had a 39-yard run that set up a four-yard scoring plunge from Johnson at the 11:33 mark of the first quarter. 

Minutes later Ringquist had a 33-yard dash that set the Cobbers up with first and goal from the seven-yard line. Two plays later Montonye caught the left edge and dove across the goal line to make it 12-0 Cobbers. 

 
Fargo Forum Game Recap

CC forced a three-and-out on Eau-Claire's final possession of the first quarter and Ringquist opened the second quarter by slipping loose up the middle for a 61-yard sprint. He was tripped up at the one-yard line and Johnson finished off the drive two plays later by walking in untouched to make it 19-0 Concordia. 

The Cobber defense held strong in the second and third quarters and then the second part of the M&M boys finished off the Cobber scoring in the fourth quarter. In a seemingly identical play to Montonye's scoring play, Austin Maanum sweeped the left edge of the field and found the pylon to cap a nine-play, 52-yard drive that spanned 4:15 and pushed the Cobber lead to 25-0. 

Eau Claire scored late as sophomore QB JT Denhartog found for a 59-yard pitch-and-catch down the visitors sideline to break up the shutout. 

Denhartog finished 15-of-33 for 197 yards passing and the lone score. He also added 50 yards rushing. 

Dallas Raftevold led the way for the Cobber defense. He wound up with 10 tackles, with one tackle for a loss. He also added two pass breakups in the secondary. Alex Berg chipped in with eight tackles and Hank Van Liew had six takedowns. 

Concordia vs. Wis.-Eau Claire Game Highlights

PROTECT THE JAKE – With Saturday's win head coach Terry Horan improves to 15-1 in home openers at Jake Christiansen Stadium. 

GROUND AND POUND: For the second straight week the Cobbers threw for under 100 yards. The 295 yards rushing is the most since CC rolled up 347 yards against Augsburg last season. 

WHAT'S NEXT? Concordia opens MIAC play next Saturday as they travel to Arden Hills to take on Bethel. The Royals are 0-2 as they dropped a tough decision to Carthage 40-34 on Saturday.

Concordia Head Coach Terry Horan Postgame Interview