Air Cobber Attack Puts Up Record-Setting Numbers

MOORHEAD, Minn.(9/11/21)---Concordia scored on four of their first five possessions, put the first 48 points on the scoreboard and steamrolled its way to a 55-14 win over Presentation.

All three phases of the game got into the scoring spree as the Cobbers scored six offensive touchdowns, had a defensive "scoop and score" fumble recovery and also put up a special teams strike on an 88-yard kickoff return.

Concordia's pass offense continues to put up record-setting numbers in the first two games of the new Air Cobber attack.

Concordia (1-1) finished the game with 467 yards of total offense which included 375 passing yards and 49 passing attempts. Cobber quarterbacks connected on 40 of the 49 pass attempts for an unbelievable 81.6% completion percentage. The 49 tosses are the most by the Cobbers in a single game since the 2010. The 40 pass completions are the believed to be the most in a single game in program history. And the 81.6% completion percentage is a program record for a single game.

Senior quarterback Tanner Dubois was 36-for-45 for 319 yards and connected on four touchdown strikes. The 36 pass completions are a new single game record for CC – and the 45 pass attempts ties the program record for attempts in a game. He has now thrown for over 300 yards in back-to-back games which is another first in Cobber football history. 

Sophomore Noah Halmar replaced Dubois in the third quarter and showed no signs of nerves in his first college game. He went 4-for-4 in pass attempts for 56 yards and recorded his first collegiate TD pass.

Dubois' main target in the Air Cobber attack was senior roommate Andy Gravdahl. Gravdahl hauled in nine receptions for 128 receiving yards and caught two scoring passes. He also returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown and amassed 252 all-purpose yards. The 252 all-purpose yards is in the Top 5 for a single game in Concordia history.

Concordia's three other starting wide receivers also recorded touchdown receptions. Wyatt Curtis had six catches for 78 yards and hauled down a 38-yard TD pass from Halmar in the third quarter. Zach Wolf had four receptions for 33 yards and caught the team's third touchdown of the day, while junior Peter Narum opened the scoring with a 15-yard TD catch on the opening drive of the day and finished with three catches for 20 yards.

The other offensive score came on the ground when senior Peyton Mortenson dove over from 1-yard out, midway through the second quarter.

The defensive touchdown came courtesy of a 42-yard "scoop and score" at the end of the first half. Senior co-captain Sam Hegg-Entzion picked up a fumble after the Cobber defense swarmed the Presentation quarterback and caused a fumble. Hegg-Entzion picked up the ball just over the 50-yard line and raced into the end zone.

The Cobber Blackshirt defense limited Presentation to just 2-of-12 (17%) on third down attempts. CC held the Saints to 127 yards in the first half and 73 rushing yards for the entire game. Concordia also forced a pair of turnovers which included an interception by Noble Scott at the end of the first quarter.

Quin Miller and Hayden Netland led the defense in total tackles. Both players finished with 6.0 tackles, and Netland had a team-high 2.0 tackles for a loss.

The Cobber ground game had 96 rushing yards on the day. Junior Ba Blamo had 10 carries for 36 yards.

UP NEXT: Concordia will have a bye week next Saturday before returning to action in two weeks. The Cobbers will open MIAC play when they travel to St. Peter to take on Gustavus on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 p.m.