Football

MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE
INDIVIDUAL FOOTBALL GAME RECAPS

Date: 9/15/01

Opponent: Carthage College

Location: Kenosha, WI

Conference game: No

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	Final
Carthage	14	7	21
Martin Luther	7	0	7

Team	Rushing	Passing	Total Offense
Carthage	261	73	334
Martin Luther	29	234	263

Rushing Leader's	Rushes	Total Yds	TD
Carthage - Randall Baker	26	130	2
Carthage - Patrick Brown	17	82	1
MLC - Ben Kuerth	9	13	0

Passing Leader's	Att	Comp	Yds	TD	Int
Carthage - Patrick Brown	11	6	73	0	2
MLC - Ben Kuerth	57	23	234	1	5

Receiving Leader's	Catches	Yards	TD
Carthage - Rob Garnes	5	40	0
Carthage - James Reddington	1	33	0
MLC - Mike Feuerstahler	9	110	0
MLC - Stephawn Coleman	5	42	1

Defensive Leader's	Tackles	Sacks	Int
Carthage - Mark Szramek	8	0	3
Carthage - Conor Glascott	6	0	2
MLC - Carlos Leyrer	13	0	0
MLC - Jared Rathje	9	0	0

GAME RECAP - On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the MLC Knights lost a hard fought battle with the Carthage College Redmen, 21-7. The game was hard going for both offenses the whole game as the defenses of both teams flexed their muscles and made it tough going. The Knights’ offense fell victim to the Redmen’s defense on more than one occasion, with QB Ben Kuerth throwing 5 interceptions on 23-57 throwing for 23 yards. Kuerth was forced to throw 57 times since the Knights were down to two running backs for the game, true freshman David Dodge and converted freshman linebacker David Barkow. Consequently, the Knights’ running game was non-existent, gaining only 29 yards, with the longest gain coming on the afternoon by the Knights’ punter Joel Schwartz, who took off for 16 yards on a fake punt which resulted in a first down.

The game started out great for the Knights with Junior Phil Huebner intercepting Carthage QB Patrick Brown at the MLC 44, on the first play of the game. The Knights however could not convert this opportunity into points as they stalled at the 36-yard line of the Redmen and turned the ball over on downs. Carthage then took their second drive 65 plays in 9 plays to score their first touchdown of the game.

MLC came back firing in the second quarter with a 7 play 71 yard that saw Kuerth complete 4 of 5 passes for 70 yards. He capped off the drive with a 10-yard pass to Stephawn Coleman for the touchdown. Coleman finished the game with 5 receptions for 42 yards. Carthage then came back with an 8-play 64-yard drive that put the score at 14-7 at halftime.

In the second half turnovers and field position were key to the outcome of the game. Kuerth threw all 5 of his interceptions in this half. These interceptions, along with poor punt coverage by the Knights allowed the Redmen to start out on the Knights side of the field on several occasions. The Knights’ defense would not relent though and forced two turnovers of their own in the hopes that offense could put together a drive and tie the score. MLC did have their opportunities to score but a lack of execution led to Knight turnovers that snuffed out scoring drives.

The Knights got a bit of good news and are encouraged by the return next week of defensive back Eric Schroeder, running back Bill Heiges, and linebacker Jamye Chapman. The Knights return home next Saturday for a 1:00 p.m. game against Mount Senario College of Ladysmith, WI.

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