The Lawrence University football team suffered another tough loss this Saturday in Waukesha, Wisc., at Carroll University, falling 57-17 to the Pioneers.
The game started with a Carroll field goal, followed by a 39-yard pass to junior Tyler Mazur for a touchdown. Carroll responded with a touchdown of their own, and the Vikings tied the game with a field goal from the 36-yard line by junior kicker Cody Robel to end the first quarter.
The Pioneer offense took off in the second quarter with five consecutive touchdowns, including one defensive touchdown from a fumble. Lawrence broke the Pioneers’ streak at the end of the quarter with a 6-yard pass to senior Jon Bruehl for a touchdown, making the score Lawrence 17 Carroll 44.
Freshman Danny Taylor had one interception during the third quarter, but that was the only major action seen on the Vikings’ half. Carroll scored three more touchdowns and one field goal, the final score 67 to 17.
The Vikings gave up eight sacks, which greatly effected their total rushing yards. Their total for the day was just one yard rushing and 236 yards passing. Bruehl paced the Vikings for receiving with five catches for 98 yards and one touchdown, followed by sophomore Tay Mandich with four catches for 43 yards. Sophomore quarterback Luke Barthelmess completed 17 of 36 passes for 219 yards with three interceptions.
Sophomore Andy Paider led the defense with eight tackles, three of which were tackles for loss. Sophomore Darvis PridGeon followed with six tackles, and senior Mats Jonsson, Taylor and senior Nick Kerkman each had five tackles. Taylor had the only Viking interception and freshman Chris Moore had the only Viking sack of the day.
“We went to Carroll this weekend and played a tough team in a tough homecoming environment. We made crucial mistakes in beginning of the game that gave Carroll the momentum they needed to get ahead. Now we need to focus on winning the rest of our games.
Every player on the team needs to aim their mindsets on our ability as a team to start out strong and finish even stronger,” said Mazur on Saturday’s loss.
The Vikings currently hold a 1-4 record for conference and 1-5 overall. “We have to go 1-0 this week,” said Bruehl. The team will be playing Grinnell College Pioneers (3-2 in conference) next Saturday at the Banta Bowl for the alumni Hall of Fame game.