Momentum Swings In Second Quarter

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/26/19)---A pair of touchdowns in the second quarter proved to be the difference in the momentum in Concordia's game against No.9 Bethel as the Cobbers fell 31-0 at Jake Christiansen Stadium.

Concordia trailed 7-0 heading into the final 10 minutes of the first half but then the Royals used a 9-play, 45-yard drive to go up 14-0 and then closed out the second quarter with a quick-strike score with 1:05 left in the half to fall behind 21-0 at the break.

The loss drops Concordia's record to 2-5 on the season. The Cobbers are 2-3 in conference play. Nationally-ranked Bethel wins for the second straight game and is now 6-1 in all games and 4-1 in the MIAC.

Concordia looked to be gaining momentum in the second quarter after senior Ethan Eagerton recovered a fumble on the Cobbers' 1-yard line after it looked like the Royals would come up with their third score of the game.

CC then came up with their longest passing play of the game on the ensuing drive when Blake Kragnes hit Andy Gravdahl for a 23-yard connection that pushed the ball to the 28-yard line.

The Cobbers had three passing plays of over 20 yards in the game. Besides the 23-yard catch by Gravdahl, Matt Bye had a 22-yard reception and running back Logan Hatfield got free up the middle and Kragnes hit him for a 21-yard gain.

Bye had his second best receiving day of the year as he finished with 30 receiving yards.

Kragnes was 5-for-12 for 79 passing yards on the day. He also rushed the ball for a game-high 77 yards which included a 43-yard sprint up the middle in the fourth quarter.

Hatfield rushed the ball eight times and came away with 20 yards.

Senior captain Alex Berg had one of his biggest games in his career. The middle linebacker finished with a game-high 12 sacks and also had 1.5 tackles for a loss, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.

Berg also continued his stellar season as the team's punter. He had six punts and averaged 46.1 yards per punt. Berg is now averaging an MIAC best 44.8 yards per kick.

Concordia had 214 yards of total offense which included 135 rushing yards. Bethel came away with 453 yards on offense and posted 300 passing yards.            

UP NEXT: Concordia will head south on Interstate 94 to take on No.4-ranked St. John's on Saturday, November 2 at 1 p.m. The Johnnies are unbeaten on the year with a 7-0 overall record.   

CONCORDIA vs. BETHEL HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday recaps sponsored by Bufffalo Wild Wings: Grab your friends and get to B-Dubs on Sunday nights for College Nights at 9 p.m. 50% off 1 food item with ID and $3 apps at the Buffalo Wild Wings located on Hwy 10 in Moorhead.