<rleton College football team fell behind early, and despite a second-half comeback bid, the Knights absorbed a 51-27 loss at Concordia College. Mike Hartwell ‘13 eclipsed 300 yards passing for the first time in his collegiate career, completing 28-of-43 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was tight end Brian Frett ‘14, who reeled in a career-best 10 catches for 76 yards and a score.
The Cobbers (7-1, 5-1 MIAC), ranked No. 19 in this week’s American Football Coaches Association national poll, scored on each of their six possessions in the first half, including five touchdowns, as they built a 45-13 lead at the break. The second half was a different story, as the Knights (3-5, 1-5 MIAC) battled back with two scores, but it proved to be too little, too late.
Concordia built a 7-0 advantage less than three minutes into the game when Mike Starke laid out to pull in Griffin Neal’s pass in the end zone.
The Knights responded on their next drive. On 3rd-and-7, Hartwell hit Chase Gottschalk 14 for a 59-yard gain to move the chains. A few plays later, the Knights tied the score when John Baker ‘14 rushed eight yards to the end zone, his first touchdown of the year.
The Cobbers recaptured the lead less than two minutes later when Ben Wolf scampered 49 yards for a score. Concordia would add touchdowns on its next two possessions, the first a 74-yard pass and then a seven-yard run, to build a 28-7 advantage.
Carleton narrowed the deficit on its next drive, marching 63 yards in six plays for a score. After Andy Zweber ‘13 rushed two yards for a fourth down Hartwell connected with Anthony Kemper ‘13 for a 37-yard scoring strike.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bryce Hentges raced 90 yards for another Concordia touchdown. The Cobbers added an 18-yard touchdown pass from Neal to Starke, as well as a field goal before halftime.
The momentum began to swing in Carleton’s favor after intermission. On their second drive of the half, the Knights reached the end zone on an 11-yard run by Zweber, his seventh scoring runof the season.
The Knights struck again midway through the fourth quarter when Hartwell connected with Frett for a 14-yard score, cutting the Cobbers’ lead to 45-27. However, Concordia responded with a touchdown on its next possession to seal the victory.
The Knights return home next Saturday, November 3, to face Gustavus Adolphus College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. A live broadcast—including a high-definition video stream—will be available via Knights Online.