Pitch Perfect Lefse Bowl

MOORHEAD, MInn. (11/09/19)---A pair of pitch plays and an air-tight, third-down defense proved to be the difference in Concordia's 14-0 win over St. Olaf in the 46th annual Lefse Bowl.

The Cobbers scored both of their touchdowns on pitch plays to running backs and the Black Shirt defense limited the Oles to only 1-for-11 in converting third down chances in the annual Senior Day game that was played in a light snow fall that had Jake Christiansen Stadium looking like the inside of a snow globe.

The win is the second straight for Concordia who improves to 4-3 in the MIAC and 4-5 overall. The victory also extends the Cobbers' win streak to eight games against St. Olaf as Concordia retains possession of the Troll Trophy – the Ugliest Rivalry Trophy in all of college football. The Cobbers are now 36-10-1 against the Oles in the 46 Lefse Bowls.

The light snow and drizzle turned the game field at The Jake into a slippery surface which played into the strength of the Cobbers' potent running game. Concordia ran the ball 62 times and gained 255 yards on the ground. CC only one attempted one pass in the game and it fell incomplete.

One of the biggest plays of the game came in the first quarter when senior quarterback Blake Kragnes left the game with an injury. Junior Sean McGuire entered the game and it took a full quarter before McGuire was able to settle in and get comfortable running the offense.

Concordia would score the game-winning touchdown with only 6-seconds left in the second quarter. The Cobbers got the ball on their own 43-yard line with 6:30 left in the half and proceeded to run the ball 11 straight time to push the ball down to the 1-yard line.

Wyatt Curtis then took a quick pitch from McGuire and sprinted around the right end and raced into the end zone. The touchdown was Curtis' first collegiate score and it gave Concordia a 7-0 lead at the break.

The Cobber defense took control in the second half and only allowed the Oles to get past the 50-yard line in the final two quarters of play. CC held the Oles to 93 total yards of offense in the final half of play as they tried to even the game at 7-7.

Concordia finally put the game on ice in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. Once again it was another sophomore running back who took a pitch and found the edge to get into the end zone. Austin Einerson's 9-yard run around the left end capped a 2-play 20-yard drive. It was Einerson's second TD of the season.

Senior Logan Hatfield ran the ball 24 times and came away with a game-high 91 yards. McGuire added 15 carries for 38 yards.

The defense was led by senior captain Alex Berg. He had 10 tackles in the first half and finished with a season-high 16 tackles.

Berg also flipped the field position several times in the second half as he dropped all four of his punts inside the 20-yard line.

UP NEXT: Concordia will finish off the 2019 season when they travel to take on Carleton on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m.

CONCORDIA vs. ST. OLAF HIGHLIGHTS
   

Saturday recaps sponsored by Bufffalo Wild Wings: Grab your friends and get to B-Dubs on Sunday nights for College Nights at 9 p.m. 50% off 1 food item with ID and $3 apps at the Buffalo Wild Wings located on Hwy 10 in Moorhead.