Box Score
Box score
MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin Lutheran College proved
that when its offense, defense and special teams all come together
at once, it can produce some scary results. That's exactly what
happened on Halloween and Parents' Day at Raabe Stadium Saturday
afternoon as the Warriors forced nine turnovers on their way to a
convincing 34-7 victory over Aurora University.
Trying to avenge last week's disappointing loss in the Lutheran
Bowl, the Warriors scored on their first two possessions and never
looked back. After winning the coin toss, Wisconsin Lutheran
decided to give the ball to the Spartans, only to take it right
back. Freshman Jason Kramer (Oconomowoc, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran)
blocked a punt attempt by Aurora from its 29-yard line. Kaylan
Gaines (Lake Worth, Fla./American Heritage) recovered it, ran for
17 yards to the one-yard line and Junior running back Larry Hairl
(Chicago, Ill./Clemente) promptly scored on the next play, spotting
the Warriors a 7-0 lead.
Aurora fumbled on is next possession and the Warriors made it
10-0 as freshman kicker Philip Chaltis (Bradenton, Fla./Manatee)
nailed a 30-yard field goal.
At the beginning of the second quarter Josh McCormick (Fond du
Lac, Wis./Winnebago Lutheran) recovered a fumble by Aurora's punt
returner at the 50-yard line. Three plays later, freshman
quarterback Zach Shaw (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) hit junior
wide receiver Dominique Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis./Vincent) with a
37-yard pass to go ahead 17-0. One possession later, Chaltis hit
his second field goal of the game, this one from 33 yards out.
As the second quarter progressed, the Spartans seemed satisfied
punting the ball away without the Warriors defense forcing a
turnover. Junior defensive back Darnell Williams (Campbellsport,
Wis./Campbellsport) intercepted a pass from Spartans quarterback
Mike Anderson that led to another Warriors touchdown. Shaw
completed three straight passes, the third for an eight-yard strike
to senior wide receiver Ryan Adamovich (Kaukauna, Wis./Kaukauna).
The Warriors led at halftime 27-0.
Wisconsin Lutheran didn't take its foot off the gas as play
resumed at halftime, as McCormick intercepted another Anderson pass
at the Warriors two-yard line. Shaw then lead the Warriors on an
impressive 98-yard drive that ended with a 34-yard touchdown pass
to Johnson, his second of the game, giving Wisconsin Lutheran a
34-0 lead.
The Warriors, who were looking for their first shutout since the
programs first game back in 2000, lost the shutout bid when the
offense fumbled on its own 21-yard line late in the fourth
quarter. Aurora quarterback Rich Fisher ran for a one-yard
touchdown score with just 53 seconds left.
Shaw finished 19-for-33 for 261 yards and three touchdowns to
lead the offense. Johnson caught five passes for 102 yards and two
touchdowns. Adamovich also caught five passes for 37 yards and a
score. Hairl rushed for 58 yards with a touchdown and sophomore
running back Jesse Muldrow (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran)
gained 51 yards on 11 carries.
Defensively, the Warriors forced nine turnovers, six
interceptions and three fumbles. They allowed only 144 total
yards.
McCormick led the way with seven tackles, a fumble recovery,
interception and a sack. Tim Wermeling (Burlington,
Wis./Burlington) had six tackles and Shem Biebert (Inver Grove
Heights, Minn./St. Croix Lutheran) added four tackles and two
sacks. Gaines also had four tackles, a fumble recovery and a
sack.
Wisconsin Lutheran (4-4, 3-2 NAC) will travel down to Lisle,
Ill., to take on Benedictine University at 1 p.m. next Saturday in
its final road contest of the season.
