Box Score Box Score

NEW ULM, Minn. – The St. Scholastica football team held a 7-0 halftime lead, but Martin Luther punched the ball in the end zone three times in the second half to rally past the Saints 21-7 on Saturday at the MLC Bowl.

In the previous three meetings, Martin Luther (2-2, 1-1 UMAC) defeated the Saints (2-2, 0-1 UMAC) by an average margin of 34 points. That was the not the case this afternoon.

It was both defenses making stands in the first quarter. The Knights went for it on fourth-and-three at the CSS 34-yard line, but #Scott Greening# made the stop for a one-yard loss to give the ball to the Saints.

St. Scholastica proceeded to move the ball into Knight territory and on fourth-and-nine at the MLC 24-yard line, #Alex Thiry#'s pass to #Keegan O'Neill# was complete, but two yards short of the sticks.

Martin Luther took the ball to the Saints' 28-yard line, but #Chas Lemon# intercepted a Greg Holzheuter pass and the Saints regained possession. The Saints capitalized off of the turnover when Alex Thiry (Cambridge, Minn./Braham HS (Minn.-Duluth)) connected with #Nick Thiry# for 37-yard touchdown strike early in the second quarter. After a #Taylor McGinnis# extra point it was 7-0 St. Scholastica.

The St. Scholastica defense held firm the rest of the half, forcing two more turnovers as the teams went into the locker room with CSS holding on to its 7-0 advantage.

The Knights came out at the start of the second half and took only four plays on the opening possession to tie it up as Aaron Voss ran for 36-yard touchdown.

After the teams exchanged punts, the Knights would put together an 11-play, 95-yard drive. MLC converted three third-and-longs on the drive, including its first two pass completions of the day of 31 and 34 yards. Voss capped off the drive with a plunge from a yard out to give the Knights a 14-7 lead.

The Saints would get intercepted on its first drive of the fourth quarter and Martin Luther took advantage of the short field. Greg Holzhueter ran for 26-yard touchdown to make the score 21-7.

The Saints would not threaten the rest of the way, falling by a score of 21-7.

Martin Luther out-gained the Saints 369-283 in the game, including 253 yards on the ground. The Saints punted eight times on the afternoon.

Alex Thiry (Cambridge, Minn./Braham HS (Minn.-Duluth)) was 17-of-32 for 177 yards and a touchdown. Nick Thiry (Braham, Minn./Braham HS) led the receiving corps with five receptions for 47 yards and a score. #Jake Jensen# ran for 84 yards on 19 carries.
#JP Leary# matched his own program record with 16 tackles and also forced a fumble. #Jordan Hanson# added a season-high 13 tackles.

The Saints will host their third Homecoming game next Saturday at UMD's Malosky Stadium. CSS will go up against Crown, the same opponent from their first-ever Homecoming game. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. It will also be Military Appreciation Day and anyone with a military ID that is active or retired will have free admission into the game.

The game can be heard live on ESPN Radio 560-WEBC or can be seen live, courtesy of the iFan Sports Network, at csssaints.com.