Junior running back Mario Price Running with the ball SXU Athletics
Coming off their momentum from last week’s game, the Cougars reel in another win. Defeating the Concordia Cardinals with a final score of 27-17.
This is their second win in a row, igniting a small two game winning streak with the hope of additional victories. Despite Concordia making a late game comeback in the fourth quarter, the Cougars were able to hold it down and secure the win.
It was the heroics from graduate student kicker Peyton Benes who went 3-for-3 on PATs (point after touchdown) and 2-for-2 on field goals. One of those field goals from Benes was a crucial 23 yard field goal that put the Cougars up by 10 and eventually won them the game.
Fifth-year senior defensive back Kevin Countryman also came up clutch late in the fourth quarter as he intercepted a pass giving the ball back to the Cougars to further increase their chance at winning the game. Countryman also recorded a total of two assisted tackles.
We also saw a solid game from fifth-year senior quarterback Stuart Ross as he threw for 193 yards on 23-36 (64%) passing. Ross also went on to throw three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver Kyle Quinn recorded the most receptions on the team, hauling in a total of five receptions on 24 yards. Quinn also scored a touchdown in this game during the third quarter to put the Cougars up 21-3 at that point of the game.
Graduate student wide receiver Julian Smith played a good game as he hauled in four receptions for 32 yards and scored the second touchdown for the Cougars in this game.
The running backs showed out in this game as redshirt junior running back Mario Price ran for 48 rushing yards while also hauling in four receptions on 51 receiving yards.
Senior running back Jessi Plunkett ran for 39 rushing yards, and he put the Cougars on the board first scoring a touchdown on 13 receiving yards. Putting the team up 7-0 late in the first quarter.
Fifth-year senior wide receiver and punter Joe Polselli was the third player on the team to record four receptions for the Cougars. Polselli made these catches for 39 receiving yards and had a good punt for 32 yards.
Graduate student linebacker Ryan Fitzgerald showed up offensively and defensively as he recorded three carries for 21 rushing yards. Fitzgerald also recorded the second most tackles on the team, getting a total of seven tackles with six of them being assist tackles and one solo with 0.5 sacks for one yard.
Junior linebacker Chris Swayne recorded the most tackles for the team as he reached a total of nine tackles with three of them being solo tackles, along with a sack for six yards. Swayne also recorded two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup.
Junior linebacker Terry Elias Jr. had a solid game where he recorded a total of five tackles with one solo, and four being assisted.
Fifth-year senior defensive linemen Ayobami Arokoyo was very impactful in this game as he recorded four assist tackles with 0.5 sacks for three yards, and a quarterback hurry.
Senior linebacker Clark Dilger made a total of three tackles, two being solo and one assisted with 0.5 sacks for four yards.
Arokoyo and Dilger worked together defensively towards the end of the game as they both got a sack for seven yards, leading the Cardinals to fail to convert on fourth down. Securing the third win of the season for SXU.
The Cougars head back on the road as they prepare for their next game against the No. 6 ranked Indiana Wesleyan University. The game kicks off at 11:00 a.m, and it will take place at the Wildcat Football Stadium.