Lancer Comeback Results in Warrior Defeat

YANKTON, S.D. – A blocked punt and a last-minute touchdown drive gave Mount Marty University a 28-27 win over Midland University in Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) football action on Saturday at Crane-Youngworth Field. With the loss, the Warriors' four-game winning streak came to an end.

Midland opened the game with an eight-play drive. On the second play from scrimmage, Teryn Berry connected with Kevin Adams, Jr., on a 20-yard pass, advancing to the Warrior 49-yard line. Three plays later, Jacob Jones ran for 24 yards, reaching the Lancer 16. However, on third down at the 11, Berry completed a pass to Jayden Shakir, but Mount Marty's Joshua Pickthorn forced a fumble at the four-yard line. Asmerom Mahammad recovered it and returned it 84 yards to the Midland 12. Four plays later, Jack Finder's 28-yard field goal put Mount Marty ahead 3-0 with 9:56 left in the first quarter.

Teagan Lemkau returned the ensuing kickoff to the Midland 20. On first down, Berry rushed for 12 yards, followed by a 14-yard pass to Adams, Jr., bringing Midland to midfield. However, a fumble forced and recovered by Josiah Gaetani at the Midland 48 halted the drive. Four plays later, Rugby Ryken connected with Austin Vigants on a 17-yard pass to the Warrior 20, setting up a seven-yard touchdown pass to Nick Heath. Finder's extra point extended Mount Marty's lead to 10-0 with 4:30 left in the quarter.

After a Midland punt, the Lancers began at their own 35. Mount Marty's drive was stopped by the Warrior defense, returning the ball to Midland at their four-yard line as the first quarter ended.

Midland turned to the ground game in the second quarter. Tyson Denkert opened with a 13-yard rush, followed by a 25-yard run to the Midland 47. But a Jacob Jones pass was intercepted by Gaetani at the Mount Marty 10 and returned to the Midland 40. A pass interference penalty extended Midland's drive, but they eventually punted. On the next drive, Ryken completed a 39-yard pass to Trevor Fitzgerald, setting up another Finder field goal for a 13-0 Lancer lead with 7:11 left in the half.

The Warriors responded as Tyson Denkert returned the kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, narrowing the score to 13-7 with 6:57 left in the half. After a three-and-out by Mount Marty, Midland advanced to the Lancer 32 following several passes by Berry. Jacob Jones then ran it in from two yards out, but Spicer's extra point was blocked and returned by Gaetani for two points, giving Mount Marty a 15-13 halftime lead.

Mount Marty received the second-half kickoff, beginning at the 45 after a fair catch. After a stop by Midland's defense, Denkert broke free for a 90-yard touchdown, putting the Warriors ahead 20-15 with 10:08 left in the third quarter.

Midland extended their lead after a fumble recovery by Zayne Wilson. Denkert's eight-yard rush for a touchdown and Spicer's extra point made it 27-15 with 6:36 left in the quarter. Mount Marty responded, reaching Midland's 16-yard line in the fourth but turning the ball over on downs. Both teams then exchanged long drives without scoring until Mount Marty's late push. Ryken connected with Fitzgerald for a touchdown with 1:11 left, cutting the score to 27-22.

Midland failed to put the game away and was forced to punt. The punt was blocked by Kavion Rogers, giving the Lancers the ball at the Midland 31. Ryken's 28-yard completion to Hirsch set up a short touchdown pass to Fitzgerald, giving Mount Marty the lead. Midland's final drive was unsuccessful, securing Mount Marty's 28-27 comeback win.

Mount Marty rushed 44 times for 100 yards and completed 21-of-37 passes for 247 yards, totaling 347 yards of offense. Midland carried 37 times for 295 yards and completed 11-of-20 passes for 102 yards, totaling 397 yards of offense.

In individual highlights for Mount Marty, Kyle Hirsch led the ground game with 32 carries for 80 yards. Rugby Ryken completed 21-of-37 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns. Trey Hansen caught seven passes for 71 yards, while Trevor Fitzgerald had four catches for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Nick Heath also contributed with a seven-yard touchdown reception. Defensively, Joshua Pickthorn led the team with eight tackles and a forced fumble. DuVaughn Williams matched him with eight tackles and also had a fumble recovery. Jacob Lambeth added four tackles, including one sack and a forced fumble. Asmerom Mahammad recorded three tackles and returned a fumble 84 yards, while Josiah Gaetani contributed three tackles, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, and blocked a kick. Kavion Rogers had two tackles and blocked a punt.

For Midland, Tyson Denkert carried the ball 27 times for 250 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns, in addition to a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Jacob Jones had five carries for 30 yards and a score, while Teryn Berry completed 11-of-20 passes for 102 yards. Kevin Adams Jr. led the receiving corps with six catches for 74 yards. On defense, Jay Ballard led the Warriors with nine tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble. Zayne Wilson contributed eight tackles and a fumble recovery.

Midland (5-4, 4-4 GPAC) will travel to face Doane (2-7, 2-6 GPAC) next Saturday in Crete, Nebraska. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. on November 9 at Al Papik Field.