Appleton, WI - MLC football started its 2025 season in a similar fashion to how 2024 began by beating Lawrence University 33-14. The final score almost matche last season's 35-7 week one victory over the Vikings, except this time the Knights did it on the road.

MLC was up 21-0 at the half last year and on Saturday the Knights cruised to a 23-0 lead at halftime. The Knights' offense moved the ball methodically down the field on Lawrence's defense and the first touchdown of the season came off a seven-yard toss from quarterback Brady Turriff to Benjamin Vasold. That score capped an opening drive of seven plays and 73 yards.

MLC wasted no time finding the end zone on their second drive of the season as Arthur Robinson punched it in with a seven yard rushing touchdown. Turriff connected with senior wide receiver, Thomas Koelpin, on a 56-yard pass down the field to set up the ensuing touchdown. MLC only needed three plays in 43 seconds to go up two scores.

The MLC defense came up big and gave its offense the ball at the Lawrence 12 yard line midway through the second period after linebacker Ethan Melso picked off Hunter Carlson and returned the ball 47 yards. As a result, Turriff threw his second touchdown on a 10-yard pass to Koelpin to make it 20-0.

Freshman tight end Noah Huebner got into the act with his first career touchdown catch to give the Knights a 30-0 edge at the 8:35 mark of the third quarter and from there MLC would keep Lawrence at bay and come out with an impressive double-digit win.

Turriff finished with 222 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Koelpin had four catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.

Melso led MLC with seven tackles and the interception, while Thomas Balge recorded six tackles. Jesus Medina had two sacks and three tackles off the edge.

Head Coach Paul Huebner thought his team got off to a quick start and said the following, "We put a big emphasis on starting fast this week. We struggled with overnight road games and I thought our players responded well and we controlled the game from the opening kickoff."

The Knights got an extra boost from the crowd as a majority of the 1300 fans in attendance were there to support MLC. " A lot of fans in red on our sideline. It felt a little like the MLC Bowl," said Huebner.

MLC will look to get off to another fast start when they play their first home game of the season against Luther College on Saturday, September 13, at 1 p.m.