NEW ULM, Minn. - Turnovers and penalties proved costly for the Martin Luther College football team in a 27-14 loss to Iowa Wesleyan Saturday.

The Knights turned the ball over five times (three interceptions, two fumbles), and committed nine penalties for 72 yards in the loss. 

Matt Olson rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the first half, but the Knights committed four turnovers and were unable to take advantage of good field position as they went into the half tied 14-14.

The Tigers took the lead late in the third quarter with a 13-yard touchdown pass, and then padded that lead with a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Olson finshed the day with 121 yards on 26 carries, helping the Knights rush for 186 yards as a team. 

Olson also competed ten of 24 passing attempts for 93 yards, but was intercepted three times. Nate Schoenherr led the MLC receivers with six receptions and 51 yards. T.J. Babinec and Tim Keller each finished with two receptions.

Defensively, the Knights held the Tigers to 235 yards, and also forced three turnovers.

Josh VonDeylen and Jacob Brohn each intercepted a pass in the game, while Ben Ewings forced and recovered a fumble deep in IWC territory late in the first half, but the offense was unable to cash that in with points.

Ewings led the Knights with seven tackles on the day, and also finished with one sack. Chris Dean and Brohn finished with six and five tackles, respectively.

MLC fell to 2-7 on the season in defeat, while IWC improved to 1-8.

The Knights will close the season on Saturday, November 7, when they travel to MacMurray for a 1 p.m. game.