NEW ULM, Minn. - An explosive performace from the offense led the Martin Luther College football team to a 51-36 win over Minnesota Morris on Saturday.
The Knights finished the game with 511 total yards (296 rushing, 217 passing), and scored touchdowns on four consecutive drives in the second and third quarters to run away with the win.
Quarterback
Matt Olson had a huge day in all phases. He rushed for three touchdowns, passed for two touchdowns, and also caught a touchdown pass in the win. He finished with 139 yards rushing on 11 carries, 195 yards passing, and one recpeption for 22 yards.
Olson's three rushing touchdowns opened the scoring for the Knights in the first half and pushed them to a 19-17 lead mid-way through the second quarter.
Late in the quarter, Olson connected with freshman wide receiver
Joshua Arndt for touchdowns on consecutive drives to push the halftime lead to 31-17. The first touchdown to Arndt went for 34 yards, while the second went for 40 yards and capped a three-play, 80-yard drive to close the quarter that took just 20 seconds.
Arndt finished the game with five catches for 122 yards and two scores.
The Cougars cut into the MLC lead with a touchdown drive to start the third quarter, but the Knights put the game away with three more scores.
T.J. Babinec scored from 24 yards out, and then threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Olson late in the third quarter.
Tim Keller finished the scoring for MLC early in the fourth quarter with a four-yard run.
Babinec finished the day with 89 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also caught two passes for 44 yards.
Eddie Endicott also had a strong day on the ground with 59 yards on 11 carries.
Defensively, the Knights bent but didn't break, and forced four UMM turnovers (all fumble recoveries).
Ben Ewings led the charge with two sacks and 2.5 tackle for loss, while
Jacob Brohn led the team with 12 tackles.
Paul Habermann and
Nick Kressin also had big days in the UMM backfield, combining for 5.0 tackles for loss and 11 total tackles.
MLC improved to 2-4 overall and 1-4 in UMAC play with the win, while UMM fell to 3-3 on the season and 3-2 in UMAC play in defeat.
The Knights return to action on Saturday, October 17, when they travel to Westminster for a game scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
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