Title Game Hopes Run Aground In Arden Hills

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (11/04/23)---Concordia scored in the first quarter and the fourth quarters, but was outscored 17-0 in the second and third quarters and lost 31-14 to Bethel in a Skyline Division showdown to determine the MIAC conference championship game entrant.

The loss ends a 3-game win streak for the Cobbers, who are now 5-4 overall, 4-3 in the conference and 3-1 in divisional play. The Royals advance to the MIAC title game, have won six straight and are 7-2 in all games, 6-1 in the conference and 4-0 in the division.   

Concordia started the game locked in the seat of a rollercoaster ride. The score was tied at 7-7 before the Cobber defense stepped on the field. Concordia received the opening kick but had a pass picked off and returned for a touchdown. CC responded in style by going on a 7-play, 74-yard drive that ended in a Jed Klang 1-yard touchdown catch on a slant pattern.

The teams traded defensive stands on the following three possessions, and then one of the key points in the game occurred. Concordia took advantage of an 11-yard punt return from Eric Cockhill, and marched the ball down to the Bethel 21-yard. CC's drive stalled and they lined up for a go-ahead field goal. Unfortunately for the Cobbers, Damien Silus' field goal attempt and the Royals took over on their own 21.

Bethel would follow that momentum change with a field goal and a quick-strike touchdown on a 3-play, 58-yard drive.

Concordia fumbled the ball on the next possession, but senior Ty Moser came to the rescue when he picked off a pass at the Cobber19-yard line.

The teams went to the half with Concordia trailing 17-7. The first possession of the second half was another turning point as the Royals were able to score on a 5-play, 80-yard drive to push the lead to 17 points at 24-7.

The score would stay at 24-7 until the fourth quarter, when the teams traded touchdowns. The Royals got on the board first to up the score to 31-7. Concordia answered on the next possession when quarterback Cooper Mattern raced through an opening in the line and ran for a 26-yard TD.

The Cobbers were outgained 381-255 in the game. Concordia had 143 rushing yards and 112 passing yards, while BU went for 189 rushing yards and 381 yards through the air.       

Mattern, who was 11-for-26 for 112 yards, etched his name in the record books in the first quarter. His 1-yard TD pass to Klang was his 23rd of the seaosn which broker the old mark of 22 set by Dan Paladichuk in 1986. Mattern also had 56 rushing yards on 11 carries.

Klang had a team-high four receptions for 29 yards and the one TD catch.

Colin Conteh ran the ball 17 times for a team-high 84 yards.

PJ Parmelee led all players with 13 tackles. Sophomore Jaiden Musse had 8 solo tackles and 11 total tackles.

UP NEXT: Concordia will host St. John's in the MIAC crossover game on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.