Box Score Box Score

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team began its second-ever season of competition with a 40-19 loss to Concordia University-Chicago this afternoon at Public Schools Stadium.

The Saints got off to a great start offensively with an opening scoring drive of 13 plays that ate up 8:10 seconds. CSS converted three first downs on the drive, but were forced to a 4th-and-2 at the Cougars 5-yard-line. Saints Quarterback #Jake Olson# (So.-Esko, Minn.) dropped back and hit #Mike VanMassenhove# (So.-Superior, Wis.) in the front of the end zone to give the Saints a 6-0 lead.

It did not take long for Concordia to answer as on its first play from scrimmage, the Cougars struck for a 43-yard touchdown pass. The extra point made the score 7-6 Concordia. CSS drove inside the Concordia 10-yard-line on the next possession, but this time could not convert a fourth down.

The Cougars took the ball down the field, but were also stuffed by the St. Scholastica defense on a 4th-and-1 at the CSS 2-yard-line. After converting a key 3rd-and-8 deep in their own territory, the Saints were once again forced to another third down and this time the Saints struck in a big way with an 80-yard connection from Olson to VanMassenhove as the Saints regained the lead 12-7. The 80-yard pass was the longest play in team history.

However, the Cougars responded once again with a 31-yard touchdown pass with 6:27 left in the first half to take a 13-12 lead. After a St. Scholastica turnover at midfield, the Cougars were threatening. Concordia took a shot at the end zone, but #Adrian Greene# (So.-Hermantown, Minn./Duluth Central) stepped in front of the pass and picked it off as the Saints took over.

The Cougars held the Saints to a three-and-out and would score on a 17-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds left in the half as Concordia went into the locker room with a 20-12 advantage.

Concordia began with the ball in the second half and converted a key 3rd-and-13 on its way to a 3-yard touchdown run to extend its lead to 27-12. After the Saints were forced to punt on their first possession of the second half, the Cougars had another big scoring play, this time a 46-yard touchdown pass to make it 33-12.

The Saints drove inside the Cougars 10-yard-line on the proceeding possession, but once again turned it over on downs.

Concordia extended its lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. CSS reached the end zone at the very end of the game as #Alex Thiry# (So.-Cambridge, Minn./Braham) connected with #Tyler LeRoux# (So.-Esko, Minn.) for an 11-yard touchdown. #Matt Holter# (Fr.-Proctor, Minn.) added the extra point as the final score would be 40-19 in favor of Concordia-Chicago.

The Cougars had a big day offensively, out-gaining the Saints 631-352. Concordia threw for 447 yards on 22-of-29 passing. Both teams were 50-percent on third down conversions. The Saints had the advantage in time of possession, holding on to the ball for 33:46 seconds. Concordia was penalized 11 times for 115 yards, while the Saints committed seven penalties for 38 yards.

Jake Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) was 22-of-33 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Mike VanMassenhove (Superior, Wis./Superior HS (Minn.-Duluth)) caught seven passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns. #Christopher Henagin# (Sr.-Cloquet, Minn.) rushed for 71 yards on 22 carries. #Sean Graskey# (Fr.-Superior, Wis.) had 13 tackles to lead the CSS defense.

The Saints will be on the road next weekend when they face another Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) school in Maranatha Baptist Bible College. The kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be heard live on ESPN Radio 560-WEBC.