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WAUWATOSA, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Freshmen running backs Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) and Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.) combined to rush for 354 of Wisconsin Lutheran College's program-record 396 yards in a 44-13 home-opening non-conference win over Buena Vista on Saturday at Raabe Stadium.
Senior kicker Arnulfo Ortega (Laredo, Texas) knocked in a 31-yard field goal on the Warriors' (1-1) second drive of the game and WLC's defense forced a trio of first quarter punts for a 3-0 lead after the opening quarter.
Ortega drilled his second field goal try of the game, a 29-yarder with 10:02 left in the second quarter for a 6-0 advantage. The Beavers knotted the score four plays into their next drive on a 52-yard Meven Obregon touchdown run, but the point after attempt failed. Wisconsin Lutheran took advantage of a short field on its final possession of the first half, going 40 yards on just five plays capped by a Heiges five-yard touchdown run for a 13-6 halftime advantage.
The Warriors took the second half kickoff and drove 71 yards on nine plays, ending in a 24-yard touchdown run from Koehler for a 14-point lead. BVU answered with a five-play scoring drive to cut its deficit in half with a six-yard touchdown pass from Zach Herrera to Blaine Peebles. Ortega made good on his third field goal of the game, this time from 26 yards away, on WLC's next drive for a 23-13 lead after three quarters.
Wisconsin Lutheran capitalized on a 45-yard missed field goal from Buena Vista on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Koehler went for 37-yard touchdown run seven plays later. Koehler cashed in on the Warriors' third 72-yard scoring drive of the game with a 13-yard dash to the end zone with 3:55 remaining. Following an interception from freshman Vinten Martin (Milwaukee, Wis.), senior Seth Voeller (Appleton, Wis.) rumbled 31 yards for his first career touchdown with just over two minutes left to cap the scoring.
The Warriors out-gained the Beavers 537-217, including a school-record 396 yards on the ground. Heiges carried 29 times for 179 yards and a score, while Koehler had 15 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) completed 15 of 28 passes for 141 yards, with sophomore Emmitt Hawkins (Cudahy, Wis.) catching six passes for 67 yards. Junior Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) led the defense with six tackles, including two for a loss.
For BVU (0-2), Peebles caught seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Austin Smith recorded a game-high 11 tackles.
WLC remains home next Saturday for a 6 p.m. Homecoming and conference-opening matchup with Eureka (0-2), Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.