New Ulm, MN - Brady Turriff threw for two touchdown passes, the defense shut down Lawrence, and special teams made impact plays in MLC's 35-7 season-opening victory over the Vikings on Saturday afternoon.

MLC fans were not only treated to spicy chicken sandwiches and waffle fries from the Chick-fil-A food truck that set up shop in the parking lot, but also from a Knights' performance that saw many contributors from up and down the depth chart. That was particularly evident as MLC had 18 different players record a tackle and freshmen such as Daniel Reinke even returned a blocked punt to the house off of Andrew Esmay's block late in the fourth quarter.

The Turriff era started with a bang in the first half, as the freshman quarterback connected with Jude Pederson on multiple touchdowns, including one in which he placed the ball right where only Pederson could get to it, as he scampered past the Lawrence secondary and into the end zone. Turriff went 13-22, 190 passing yards, and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start. 

Running back Rees Roecker also kicked off his senior campaign with 92 yards and 1 rushing touchdown on 18 carries. Roecker, behind nice blocking from the offensive line put MLC in favorable positions to convert third downs, which they converted on 7-13 in the game.

The Knights made key stops on defense time after time and hurried Lawrence quarterback Aidan Williams, making him uncomfortable in the pocket all game long. MLC sacked Williams on three occasions, including a sack fumble that was forced by Esmay. On the play, Thomas Balge picked up the fumble on a scoop-and-score, taking it 40 yards to put the Knights up 28-0 right before halftime. Balge also led MLC with 11 tackles and added an interception late in the fourth quarter, living up to his First Team All-Conference billing from his sophomore season in 2023.

The Knights had other playmakers on defense today, receiving nine tackles from freshman safety Aiden Zirbel, while David Baumann and Daniel Biermann recorded seven stops apiece.

Pederson and Thomas Koelpin led the MLC wideouts, as Pederson finished with five receptions, 105 yards, and two touchdowns, while Koelpin caught five passes for 52 yards.

Up next for MLC (1-0) is an away game at Macalester on Saturday, September 14. Last year's meeting saw a back-and-forth offensive game, as the Scots took it 56-27. MLC will look to flip that result this year and they'll get a chance to do so at 6 p.m.