WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College came up just short in a 17-14 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference setback to St. Norbert on Saturday at Raabe Stadium.
The Green Knights (2-3, 2-1 NACC) opened the scoring midway through the first quarter when Jacob McVane punched in a two-yard touchdown run to cap a quick three-play, 52-yard drive for a 7-0 lead.
The Warriors (1-4, 1-2 NACC) answered early in the second quarter with a methodical 13-play, 81-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes. Sophomore
Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) finished the drive with a three-yard touchdown run, his seventh rushing touchdown of the season, and freshman
Devin Loehr (San Antonio, Texas) added the PAT to knot the score at 7-7 with 14:16 left before halftime.
SNC regained the lead late in the second quarter on a 35-yard field goal from Tyler Juergensen after a 12-play drive, giving the visitors a 10-7 advantage heading into halftime.
St. Norbert extended its lead to 17-7 midway through the third quarter as McVane scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from one yard out to finish off a 52-yard scoring drive that started after an opening drive interception by WLC.
After senior
Connor Martin (Chino, Calif.) recovered a fumble, Wisconsin Lutheran mounted a late comeback, cutting the deficit to 17-14 with 1:46 remaining when freshman quarterback
Quincy Rheams (Dallas, Texas) connected with freshman
Jakota Hase (Charlotte, N.C.) for a five-yard touchdown pass to complete an eight-play, 60-yard march. However, the Green Knights recovered the ensuing onside kick and were able to run out the clock.
The Warriors outgained SNC 294-256 in total offense and held a 35:58 to 24:02 advantage in time of possession. WLC also led 19-14 in first downs and 170-152 in rushing yards.
Rheams led Wisconsin Lutheran's offense by completing 16-of-22 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 60 yards. Heiges ran for 49 yards and a score, and Hase caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. Senior
Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) also caught four passes for 45 yards.
McVane paced St. Norbert with 118 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Michael Meneguzzo threw for 104 yards, completing 9-of-15 passes.
Defensively, junior
Chris Korb (Kirkland, Ill.) led the Warriors with nine total tackles, while John Seitz paced the Green Knights with eight tackles and an interception.
WLC continues NACC play next Saturday at 1 p.m. when it travels to Lakeland (1-4, 1-2 NACC). Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
Â
