The Golden Bears improved to 2-0 following their 38-6 drubbing of the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. This was the first meeting between the two teams since UMD left the NSIC for the North Central Conference.
The Bears broke a scoreless tie with 5:17 remaining in the first quarter on a
Brody Johnson 35-yard field goal. It appeared to be a defensive battle in the first half until the Golden Bears exploded for three touchdowns all in the last 2:15 of the half.
It all started when
Travis Johansen blocked a Bulldog punt inside UMD's own 20-yard line. Instead of taking a safety, UMD fell on the ball at their own one-yard line, setting up a
Brian Holmes one-yard touchdown run.
The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by the Bulldogs and returned 17 yards for a touchdown by
Maishon Holdbroooks to put CSP ahead 16-0, as Johnson's extra point attempt was blocked.
The Bulldogs responded after running back Aaron Kelly broke loose on a 66-yard run, which put the Bulldogs in the red zone. UMD was unable to convert, as Kyle Opahle was intercepted by
Darrion Branscomb in the end zone, giving NSIC Offensive Player of the Year
James McNear another chance before the end of the half.
The result was a 70-yard scoring strike from McNear to receiver
Wesley Hill, and following the two point conversion, the Bears sprinted into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead.
The Bears' tough defense held the Bulldogs to just 78 yards of total offense on 22 plays, 66 of those 78 yards coming on Kelly's run. Opahle was just 1-10 for with six yards and an interception; he was unable to capitalize on the Bears' 11 penalties for 129 yards.
McNear was nine of 15 for 158 yards and a touchdown pass in the first half, while the Bears' running attack compiled 79 yards on 23 carries.
McNear opened the second half with a 21-yard touchdown scamper to put the Bulldogs away, opening up the score to 31-0. That would be McNear's last drive of the game, as he was relieved by backup
Nate Harrington. McNear finished the game 10-16 for 161 and a touchdown and ran for 60 yards on ten carries and the score. He is 13 yards short of breaking the all-time CSP career passing record.
Wesley Hill had three receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown, while
Antwon Williams pitched in with five catches for 66 yards. On the ground,
Sam Blocker led the way with 14 carries for 65 yards.
The Bears offense outgained UMD 421-220 on the afternoon, outpassing them 260-65. The rushing attack was fairly even, with both schools running 38 times--the Bears for 161 yards and the Bulldogs for 155. The Bears had 21 first downs to UMD's 11, and the Bulldogs turned the ball over five times to Concordia's three turnovers.
Opahle finished the game just 4-17 passing for 65 yards with one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Kelly was the lone bright spot for the Bulldog offense, as he ran for 115 yards on 14 carries. Joe Russell added 61 yards on 18 attempts.
The 2-0 Golden Bears return to action next Saturday at Griffin Stadium against UW-River Falls at 1:30 p.m.
