The Lawrence University football team looked ready to earn their first victory of the season this past Saturday against Carroll University, but a late rally by the Pioneers turned a close game into a blowout. The Vikings built a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter with good defense and a steady offense, but Carroll turned it around in the fourth quarter by scoring 24 points in less than six minutes of play.
Carroll (6-3, 5-3 MWC) scored first in the first quarter when the Vikings’ freshman quarterback Eric Bohling’s pass was intercepted and returned 55 yards for a touchdown by the Pioneers’ Jeremy Winter.
The following extra point made the score 7-0. The Vikings (0-8, 0-8) got on the board and tied the score with some help from their special teams unit. Freshman Jake Runde stripped the ball loose from punt returner Shaun Banta and recovered the ball at the Carroll 42-yard line.
Two big plays later, the Vikings tied the game at 7-7. Lawrence junior quarterback Nick Maxam hit running back senior Craig Ebert on a 7-yard touchdown pass. The score was set up by a 32-yard pass from Maxam to freshman receiver Zach Hintz.
The score remained tied at seven until halftime, but Carroll took the lead early in the third quarter on a 23-yard field goal.
Carroll’s lead did not last long, though, as Maxam led the Vikings on an 82-yard scoring drive to regain the lead. Maxam completed five of six passes on the drive for 81 yards including a 32-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Jeremiah Johnson. Johnson had a big day for the Vikings, catching seven passes for 72 yards.
Unfortunately for Lawrence, that was the last time they would find the end zone and be able to put points on the board. Carroll took the lead early in the fourth quarter and never looked back. The Pioneers turned a four-point fourth quarter deficit into a 20-point victory in the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter.
The run started with a nine-play, 88-yard drive to give Carroll a 17-14 lead. Chris Caper threw the 5-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Galas for the score. Then, the Pioneers defense forced the Vikings into a three-and-out and the Carroll’s offense kept their momentum rolling, scoring on the first play after the punt.
Casper found Dan Deutschendorf for a 33-yard scoring play to push their lead to 24-14. Carroll added a field goal and another Casper touchdown pass to make the final score 34-14.
The Vikings are back in action this Saturday as they take on Ripon College at the Banta Bowl. The rivalry between Lawrence and Ripon is the oldest football rivalry in the state of Wisconsin.
Big fourth quarter pushes Carroll past LU
