32-Point Second Half Not Enough In Season Opener

MOORHEAD, Minn. (9/04/21)---The "not so good" news was that Concordia fell behind 19-0 in the first half and lost 35-32 on a last-second field goal attempt. The "good news" was that the Cobber outscored the Vikings 32-16 in the second half. The best news" was that Cobber football is back!

Concordia showed the rust of having not played since Nov. 16, 2019 as they gave up the first 19 points of the game, had a pair of turnovers, only amassed 98 total yards and trailed 19-0 at the half. The second half was a completely different tale with the Cobbers scoring 32 points, rolling up 352 yards and nearly pulling off one of the biggest comeback's in the Terry Hora era.

The Cobbers scored 32 of the first 38 points in the second half and took a 32-25 lead when Zach Wolf tight roped his way down the sideline on an 80-yard pitch-and-catch TD with 8:02 left in the fourth quarter.

The teams then traded punts before Valley City tied the game with 43-seconds left to play in regulation on an 8-play, 53-yard drive. The Cobbers then turned the ball over on the third play of the next drive and the Vikings were able to take possession at the Cobber 47-yard line with 20-seconds to play. A personal foul penalty on the first play of the VCSU gave Valley City the ball on the CC 23-yard line. After an incomplete pass that brought the clock down to 5-seconds, the Vikings won the game on a 40-yard field as time ran out.

The teams combined for over 800 yards of total offense. Concordia held a 440-421 advantage on offense. The Cobbers rushed the ball 26 times for 55 yards and went 27-for-41 through the air for 385 passing yards. Valley City had 148 rushing yards and 273 passing yards.

The two biggest stat difference came on third down, and in the turnover department. The Cobbers turned the ball over four times with three interceptions and one fumble. VCSU had just one miscue in the 60 minutes of play.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came towards the end of the first quarter when a Valley City defensive lineman jumped to block a pass. The ball went straight up in the air behind Cobber quarterback Tanner Dubois. The lineman then ran down the "pop fly" and proceeded to ramble 55 yards for an unexpected Pick 6.

Dubois, making his first start as the Cobber signal caller, went 27-for-41 for 385 passing yards. He also led CC in rushing with 30 yards on eight carries. He also scored the team's second TD when he ran the ball in from 4-yards out.

Wolf had four catches for 120 yards while senior Andy Gravdahl had a game-high 10 catches for 76 yards. Sophomore Dawson Schaffer had a breakout performance in his first game in maroon and gold. He finished with 102 receiving yards on four catches.

Senior running back Ben Hoggarth had a pair of 1-yard touchdown plunges and carried the ball 14 times.

Senior linebacker Noah Jenson led all players with nine tackles. He also had a pass breakup. Ty Moser and PJ Parmelee both had eight tackles. Senior defensive lineman Mykal Tuiolosega-Siufanua and sophomore Collin Thompson both had a sack as the CC defense posted 5.0 tackles for a loss.     

Freshman kicker Damien Silus was 1-for-1 on field goal attempts, 3-for-3 on extra-point tries and had three kickoffs for touchbacks.

UP NEXT: Concordia will stay at home in non-conference play when they host Presentation (S.D.) on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. The Saints are 0-2 on the year and fell 42-14 at home against Wis.-Stout on Saturday.