PLYMOUTH, Wis. (WLCSports.com) - Graduate student Alan Tavarez (Brown Deer, Wis.) batted down a potential game-tying two-point conversion pass in the final minute as Wisconsin Lutheran College held on for a dramatic 33-31 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference win over Lakeland on Saturday at Taylor Field.
The Warriors (3-1, 2-0 NACC), who won their first-ever game in eight all-time trips to Taylor Field, started 2-0 in conference play for the first time in program history.
WLC found the end zone on its second possession of the first quarter when freshman Liam Heiges (Appleton, Wis.) capped a nine-play, 45-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run. An interception from senior Connor Martin (Chino, Calif.) on the Muskies' next drive setup a 38-yard field goal from senior Arnulfo Ortega (Laredo, Texas) four plays later. LU got on the board with 1:44 left in the opening quarter on a Keon Willis nine-yard touchdown reception from Robby Michael as Wisconsin Lutheran led 10-7 after one.
Freshman Carson Koehler (Saginaw, Mich.) gave the Warriors a 17-7 lead on their first drive of the second quarter with a seven-yard touchdown run, his first of two rushing TDs on the night. Lakeland later answered with a 61-yard touchdown pass from Michael to Kolby Cohen with just over a minute left before halftime as the Muskies trailed 17-13 entering intermission.
LU took its first lead of the game at 19-17 on its opening drive of the third quarter after Hassan Rivers' 10-yard touchdown run. WLC responded with scoring drives on its next two possessions. Koehler capped a six-play, 73-yard scoring drive with a 12-yard scamper, and Heiges' four-yard wildcat touchdown run with 1:08 left gave Wisconsin Lutheran a 30-19 lead after three.
Michael brought Lakeland within five points at 30-25 after a nine-yard touchdown run just over three minutes into the fourth quarter. Neither team managed to move the ball much over their next two possessions, as the Warriors capitalized on a turnover on downs deep in Muskies territory with an Ortega 36-yard field goal for a 33-25 lead with 1:42 remaining. The Muskies' quick strike offense had an answer just 0:49 seconds later with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Michael to Jatron Bevly. The two-point conversion-tying pass was batted down by Tavarez and fell incomplete. Senior Brandon Antczak (Mukwonago, Wis.) recovered the ensuing onside kick with 0:53 seconds left, and WLC knelt out the clock.
Wisconsin Lutheran totaled 342 yards of offense, as junior Bryce Barbian (Cudahy, Wis.) completed 25 of 41 passes for 215 yards. Koehler rushed for 75 yards and two scores, and Heiges tallied 33 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Drew Mears (Appleton, Wis.) caught seven passes for 98 yards, both career highs, while junior Jamil Gordon (San Marcos, Texas) had 11 catches for 64 yards. Junior Layson Handwork (Merritt Island, Fla.) recorded a game-high 10 tackles, including three for a loss and a sack.
Michael accounted for 376 of LU's 418 yards of total offense. He threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for another 147 yards and a score. Matt Glogowski led Lakeland's defense with eight tackles.
The Warriors return to Raabe Stadium next Saturday for a NACC matchup with No. 22 Aurora (3-1, 2-0 NACC) featuring the conference's lone 2-0 teams. The Faith and Family Day game kicks-off at 1 p.m. Live coverage links can be found at WLCSports.com.
Wisconsin Lutheran Holds On For Dramatic Win At Lakeland
/seasons/2024/boxscores/20240928_o0o7.xml
2024
Wisconsin Lutheran
33
Lakeland
31
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Lutheran (3-1) | 10 | 7 | 13 | 3 | 33 |
| Lakeland (1-2) | 7 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 31 |
Sep 28, 2024