WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Sophomore Jakota Hase (Charlotte, N.C.) caught four touchdown passes on Saturday, propelling Wisconsin Lutheran College to a dramatic 25-24 come-from-behind victory over Ripon in its home opener at Raabe Stadium.

With the non-conference triumph, the Warriors improved to 2-0 on the season for the first time since 2012. Hase's four touchdown receptions also stand as the second-most in a single game in program history.

The Red Hawks (0-2) opened the scoring on the final play of the first quarter, capping a 12-play, 76-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jack Berens. Ben Crock added the extra point to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Ripon extended its lead to 14-0 with 5:50 remaining in the second quarter when Jackson Bender broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run, concluding a four-play, 57-yard march.

WLC answered on its ensuing possession, covering 75 yards in seven plays. Sophomore quarterback Roman Morales (Fort Worth, Texas) connected with Hase on a 29-yard touchdown strike at the 2:20 mark. The extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 14-6.

The Red Hawks responded before halftime, mounting an eight-play, 50-yard drive in just over two minutes that ended with a 22-yard field goal from Crock as time expired, sending RC into the break with a 17-6 advantage.

Wisconsin Lutheran struck quickly in the third quarter. Starting at their own 40-yard line, the Warriors used five plays to travel 60 yards, highlighted by Morales finding Hase downfield for a 49-yard touchdown reception with 12:44 left in the frame. A two-point rush attempt fell short, cutting the deficit to 17-12.

Ripon widened its margin back to double digits late in the third quarter. Treston Dekker punctuated a seven-play, 55-yard series with a 1-yard touchdown plunge at the 0:19 mark. Crock's point-after gave the Red Hawks a 24-12 lead heading into the final period.

WLC staged its fourth-quarter comeback beginning with a key defensive play. Junior Jalen Perera (Milwaukee, Wis.) intercepted a Berens pass at the Red Hawks' 30-yard line with 10:50 left. Two plays and 49 seconds later, Morales hit Hase for a 26-yard touchdown strike. Sophomore Devin Loehr (San Antonio, Texas) tacked on the extra point to trim RC's lead to 24-19 with 10:01 remaining.

After Wisconsin Lutheran's defense forced a quick three-and-out, the Warriors mounted the game-winning drive from their own 20-yard line. Over eight plays and 80 yards in 4:35, WLC marched down the field, capped by Morales connecting with Hase for a 2-yard touchdown pass with 3:35 on the clock to take a 25-24 lead. The ensuing two-point pass attempt was unsuccessful.

Ripon took over at its own 29-yard line and drove to the Wisconsin Lutheran 44-yard line, but the Warriors defense held firm on fourth-and-5 as freshman Jaylan Palmer (Brookshire, Texas) broke up a pass to seal the victory. Morales took three kneel-downs to run out the clock.

Morales led the Warriors' aerial attack, completing 18 of 30 passes for 215 yards, four touchdowns. Junior Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) anchored the ground game with 122 rushing yards on 20 carries, including a game-long 48-yard dash. Hase was the game's top receiver, hauling in seven catches for 138 yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore Colton McGee (Grenada Hills, Calif.) added five receptions for 45 yards.

Defensively, Perera and senior DeAngelo Amaya (El Paso, Texas) led WLC with eight total tackles apiece. Perera posted seven solo stops, two tackles for loss, and an interception, while Amaya contributed four solo tackles and a sack.

For the Red Hawks, Berens completed 15 of 27 passes for 128 yards and two interceptions, adding a rushing score. Dekker led all rushers with 119 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, while Bender rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown on eight attempts. Evan Nehring caught a team-high four passes for 20 yards, and Elantae Fleming led RC in receiving yardage with three catches for 50 yards. Defensively, Nathan Hanson paced Ripon with six solo tackles.

Wisconsin Lutheran opens Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play next Saturday, September 19, when it hosts Lakeland (1-1) at Raabe Stadium for Faith and Family Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Warriors aim for their first 3-0 start in program history.