CUNE Football Overcomes Slow Start to Win Season Opener
by Garrett Suchanek
The Concordia football team overcame a sloppy start and a slow offense to down Southwestern College 31-10 on the road Saturday night.
The Bulldogs did not have an ideal start. They fumbled the opening kickoff that turned into 3 points for the Moundbuilders.
On the next possession for the Bulldogs, TJ Austin’s first pass was picked off and returned to the 1-yard line. The very next play, the Moundbuilders punched it in the end zone to gain a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game.
The Bulldogs’ defense kept Concordia in the game as the offense struggled to score in the first half. The defense forced four fumbles and recovered two while allowing only 78 yards.
Concordia’s offense was able to calm down and settle in late in the first quarter as senior quarterback Garrett Folchert connected with junior tight end Seth Fitzke for a 20-yard touchdown to trim Southwestern’s lead to 10-7.
Concordia tacked on a field goal before halftime to go into half tied at 10.
After a quiet third quarter the Bulldogs broke through in the fourth. Folchert found sophomore Carey Harrison for a 34-yard strike to break the tie early in the fourth quarter 17-10.
On Concordia’s next possession, sophomore quarterback TJ Austin hit freshman wide receiver Trae Owens for a 29-yard touchdown to extend the lead 24-10.
Later in the quarter junior running back Demarques Saulberry solidified the win for the Bulldogs by capping off a 64-yard drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown.
The Bulldogs will look to add another win to their record as they travel home to host Hastings College at 6 p.m. on September 12
