Bulldog football is outclassed by No. 6 Morningside in 61-21 loss

Quarterback Gideon Stark throws a pass (photo from previous game).

Photo: Max Fritsche

By Keith Siek

Concordia’s struggles away from home continued after the Bulldogs’ offensive production could not match the firepower No. 6 Morningside displayed in a 61-21 road loss in Sioux City, Iowa, on Saturday.

The Bulldogs have a 1-3 record on the road this season, including two losses to ranked opponents No.19 Northwestern and No. 6 Morningside. Concordia fell below the .500 mark after the loss with a season record of three wins against four losses. 

Concordia played from behind after a three-and-out to open the game, followed by a touchdown drive by Morningside on the Mustangs’ first possession of the game. Morningside would reach the endzone three times in the first quarter and build a 41-14 lead by halftime.

The Bulldogs’ defense held Morningside to 14 points in the second half, but a pick-six thrown on the last play of the game increased Concordia’s deficit to the final 40-point margin. 

Morningside outgained Concordia with a total of 599 yards to the Bulldogs’ 363-yard performance. Morningside dominated ball possession during the contest, holding the ball for 36:49 minutes compared to the Bulldogs’ 23:11 minutes of offensive control.

Concordia’s passing game tallied 278 yards under the reins of graduate student Gideon Stark, who completed 18 of 42 passing attempts on the day with one interception. Senior Jonny Puelz led the team in receiving with eight catches for 169 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. 

The Bulldogs’ ground attack put up 85 yards during the contest, punching in two touchdowns for Concordia’s offense. Senior Carlos Collazo ran in for a touchdown from three yards out for the Bulldogs’ first score of the game. Freshman Dylan Mika added a score of his own late in the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run. 

Junior Kaden Thompson recorded nine solo tackles with five assists to lead Concordia defenders in both statistical categories. Thompson also forced a fumble on Morningside’s opening series of the second half, which senior Drake Trent recovered for Concordia. 

Concordia is scheduled to kick off against rival Doane University at 1 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 31.