Martin Luther College Football

For the second year in a row, Martin Luther faced Westminster for the UMAC conference championship. Unfortunately for the Knights, the results didn’t change with the second go-around. Despite a strong fourth quarter rally, the Knights couldn’t come all the way back, losing 35-28 late Friday night.

Westminster struck first, scoring on running back Rob Coleman’s two yard run with just under nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. Aided by a fake punt by Aaron Browne, the touchdown run capped off a 14 play, 86 yard drive that took six minutes off the clock.

Westminster continued to attack the Knights defense, and had the Knights on its heels for most of the night. A 15 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Val Leppert to Coleman gave the Blue Jays a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.

The Knights countered with a few big plays of its own. After a 29-yard halfback pass from David Dodge, quarterback Dan Lange found wide receiver Jake Schwartz streaking across the field for a 45 yard touchdown pass, putting the Knights to within seven.

Leppert continued to find holes in the Knights defense, as he threw two more touchdowns, 23 and 33 yards respectively, in the second quarter, giving the Blue Jays a 28-7 halftime lead. Leppert finished the game with 299 yards passing and three touchdowns.

“ We dug ourselves a hole tonight, and unfortunately, it was just too big for us to climb out of,” Hussman said.

The Knights continued to scratch and claw, as running back Joel Russow scored on a 18 yard run with two minutes remaining in the half. The Knights went into halftime down 28-14.

Westminster didn’t let up in the third quarter, taking the opening drive of the second half 65 yards, capped off by Coleman’s one yard run, giving the Blue Jays a commanding 35-14 lead. The Knights didn’t get a first down in the second half until there was one minute remaining in the third quarter.

Lange’s interception in the beginning of the fourth quarter appeared to be the final nail in the coffin, but the Knights refused to give up. On the very next play, Leppert’s pass was intercepted by Knights linebacker A.J. Kruse who took it back for the score, bringing the Knights back to within 14.

“When it was 35-14, we could have given up, but we didn’t,” Hussman said. “That’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud of this team.”

After forcing a three and out, the Knights offense converted a critical fourth down conversion, setting up running back David Dodge’s two yard run, making the score 35-28.

With three minutes and 19 seconds remaining in the game, the Knights had one final chance. The Westminster punt gave the Knights the ball at its own 42 yard line. The Knights had the game tied up on a 20 yard screen pass to Dodge, but a critical holding penalty negated the score. Facing a 4^th and 10 from the Westminster 29 yard line, Lange’s pass intended for Bater fell short, ending the Knights comeback attempt.

“We played well in the second half, but unfortunately, you need to play well in both halves in order to win the game,” Hussman said. “It has been an honor coaching these men and it has been a wonderful season.

Westminster went on to win the UMAC championship with a score of 35-28.

“Hats off to the Westminster organization,” Hussman said. “They have a wonderful coach and a wonderful team. They are a first class organization all the way.”

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