DE PERE, Wis. (WLCSports.com) – Wisconsin Lutheran College fell 28-14 to St. Norbert in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup on Saturday at Donald J. Schneider Stadium.

The Green Knights opened the scoring late in the first quarter with an eight-yard touchdown run by Jacob McVane with 3:14 on the clock, capping a 12-play, 68-yard drive that consumed 6:27.

After a scoreless second quarter, SNC extended its lead early in the third quarter following a muffed punt recovery at the Warriors' 13-yard line. Three plays and 1:14 later, Caleb Sprutles connected with Adam Westberg on a nine-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 at the 12:08 mark.

WLC responded immediately on its next play from scrimmage. Sophomore quarterback Roman Morales (Fort Worth, Texas) hit senior Keith Johnson (Amarillo, Texas) in stride for an 86-yard touchdown reception with 11:55 remaining in the third, trimming the deficit to 14-7 in just 11 seconds.

St. Norbert countered with a five-play, 74-yard scoring march that took 2:52, ending when Sprutles found Westberg again for a 64-yard touchdown pass at 8:55 to push the Green Knights' lead to 21-7.

Wisconsin Lutheran answered back with a nine-play, 66-yard drive spanning 5:04. Morales finished the march with a 16-yard touchdown strike to senior Benett Reader (Appleton, Wis.) with 3:45 left in the third quarter, pulling the Warriors back within one score at 21-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, however, McVane returned the ball 88 yards for a touchdown with 3:32 to go in the third quarter, putting SNC ahead 28-14. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter.

WLC gained 283 yards of total offense on the afternoon (218 passing, 65 rushing). Morales led Wisconsin Lutheran through the air, completing 16 of 30 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Junior Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) anchored the rushing attack with 54 yards on 14 carries, while Johnson paced the receiving corps with 86 yards and a score on his lone reception. Defensively, sophomore Landon Bryant (Onalaska, Wis.) led the Warriors with a game-high-tying 10 total tackles (eight solo).

St. Norbert (2-2, 2-0 NACC) compiled 293 total offensive yards (198 passing, 95 rushing). Sprutles guided the Green Knights' passing attack, going 14-of-22 for 198 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. McVane led SNC on the ground with 87 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 attempts, while Westberg topped the receiving unit with six catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. John Seitz led the defense with 10 total tackles (five solo), including one sack.

WLC (2-2, 0-2 NACC) returns home to Raabe Stadium next Saturday to host Eureka (0-3, 0-1 NACC) at 5 p.m. The contest will also serve as Heroes Night.