NEW ULM, Minn. - The Martin Luther College football team could not hang onto a fourth-quarter lead in a 35-27 home defeat to Alma on Saturday. 

MLC jumped to a 13-0 lead on a pair of five-yard Max Nordlie touchdown passes to Mike Radue and Joshuah Kren, but Alma jumped on the board following a fumble recovery deep in MLC territory with under five minutes to play in the second quarter, and then took the lead with another score right before the half.

The Scots scored again to start the third quarter to push its lead to 21-13, but Kren scored on a 54-yard run to cut the deficit to 21-19, and then gave the Knights the lead on a 26-yard touchdown reception after Nordlie scrambled to avoid pressure on the play.

Alma owned the fourth quarter, starting with a safety with 13:31 to play that cut the MLC lead to 27-23. The Scots took the lead (29-27) with 6:52 to play, and then put the game away by cashing in another MLC fumble with 4:33 left.

The Knights were held to 154 rushing yards on 45 carries in the game. Kren led the team with 54 yards, and finished the game with 120 total yards and three touchdowns.

Nordlie was more productive in the passing game, completing nine of 23 attempts for 107 yards and three scores. Mason Cox was the Knights' leading receiver with four catches for 34 yards. 

The MLC defense forced five turnovers (four fumble recoveries and one interception), but allowed 444 yards of total offense. Aiden Holien led the defensive effort with 11 total tackles. Brice Guse finished with two sacks and one forced fumble, while Jon Holtz recorded his first career interception. 

MLC fell to 1-3 on the season in defeat. Alma improved to 4-0 with the win.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday, October 2, when they open conference play against Greenville. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.