MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa - The Martin Luther College football team erased a two-score deficit in the final eight minutes to win 28-21 at Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday.

The Knights entered the game as the hottest offense in the UMAC, but scored just once in the first three quarters on a Josh Arndt 18-yard reception from Zach Bloomquist at the end of the first quarter. 

The Tigers played well in front of their homecoming crowd and built their lead to 21-7 with 8:56 to play. 

MLC took over from there, scoring three times in the final eight minutes. Harrison Hochmuth got the ball rolling with a 27-yard touchdown reception from Bloomquist with 7:03 to play to cut the deficit in half, and the Knights tied the game less than three minutes later on an Austin DeNoyer 28-yard touchdown reception from Bloomquist.

Following a defensive stop, the Knights wasted no time as Joshua Schroeder connected with Arndt on a reverse pass for a 74-yard score to give MLC a 28-21 lead with 2:21 to play in the game.

The defense finished the job from there as Nathan Holz sacked the Tigers' quarterback on the final play to secure the win.

Bloomquist had a big day through the air with 152 yards and three scores, but was held to zero rushing yards in the game thanks to three IWU sacks. DeNoyer led the Knights on the ground with 11 carries for 71 yards, and also set new career-highs with eight receptions for 84 yards. Arndt caught only two passes on the day, but made them both count as he finished with 92 yards and two receiving scores. 

Benjamin Riegsecker led the charge defensively with 13 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Holz recorded 1.5 sacks to go with eight tackles, while Joe Herrewig was credited with four pass break-ups.

MLC improved to 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in UMAC play with the win. The Tigers fell to 1-5 overall and 1-3 in league play in defeat. 

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 13 ,when they play their annual Homecoming game against Westminster. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.