The UMM football Cougars played their tenth and final game of the season Saturday (11/3). On the other side of the football was College of St. Scholastica (CSS).
The Cougars fell into a hole and then charged to try to get out of
it. The comeback ended up just shy. The Cougars were a touchdown down
when the four quarters had been played. The Saints of CSS were the 28-21
winner. It was a disappointing end for our maroon crew, still we can
take satisfaction in the six total victories. It's the most for the
program since 2006 (my last year in the print media).
How far down did UMM get Saturday? The scoreboard revealed a dismal
21-0 picture. Was it an afternoon for the opponent to just romp? Not at
all. Eventually the score got tied. But UMM had gone to the well too
many times I guess. The CSS Saints pulled ahead with under two minutes
left thanks to a drive of 69 yards and 15 plays. CSS consumed 7:28 on
that possession.
It was an entertaining game even if it was a loss.
The Cougars were stopped on their first possession, then CSS showed
some of that early momentum, marching to score on a ten-yard pass. The
Cougars experienced a three-and-out. The Saints proceeded to strike
again, this time executing seven plays en route to the end zone,
covering 66 yards. Quarter #1 ended with a 14-0 score and little reason
for the home Big Cat Stadium crowd to cheer.
The Saints thrust forward in the second quarter, mounting a
ten-play, 74-yard drive that gave them that fat 21-0 lead. Finally the
Cougars got their engines humming. It was the toe of Cam Adel that got
the Cougars on the scoreboard. A 15-play drive ended with Adel kicking
the ball through the uprights from 31 yards out. It was a modest start
but it was psychologically important. CSS was forced to punt, then UMM
took off again with another well-oiled drive, this one covering 69 yards
and ending with another Adel field goal. Adel ended this 14-play
possession with a 31-yard field goal. Halftime arrived with the score
21-6.
Bring on the third quarter! The Cougars forced a fumble on a CSS
punt. They took over possession at the CSS 44. It took four plays to
reach the end zone, the last of which was a 12-yard pass involving the
Foss boys from Hancock: Derrick (throwing) and Brendon (catching). The
Foss boys clicked again on the conversion play so the score is now 21-14
and suspense is in the air.
The Cougar "D" bore down to force a three-and-out. CSS then got off
a bad punt, 24 yards, enabling the Cougar "O" to go to work at the CSS
41. From there, one play did the trick. Dan Garrigan was calling the
signals for UMM. Garrigan passed to Tyler Peterson who accelerated along
the sideline. The PAT was good to get the score all tied up.
The CSS defense made a key play when it snared Dustin Spohn for a
two-yard loss at the CSS 35. The drive got snuffed out and then CSS went
to work offensively at its own 30 with 9:23 left. Saint Jake Jensen
became a workhorse. Time and again he got the handoff. But it was a pass
that netted the ultimate score. It was a ten-yard pass on third and
seven.
The Cougars bore down to try to answer. The time remaining was
1:49. They were backed up somewhat at their own 33. Garrigan passed to
Roumy Desir for 21 yards on fourth down. The Cougars progressed to the
CSS 31, then progressed further thanks to a pass interference call. So
UMM is looking at first and ten at the CSS 16. A holding penalty dealt a
setback. Garrigan connected with Dan Kernan, getting UMM to the 19
where the situation was second and 13. Dalton DeGraffenreid was targeted
as the receiver. But the CSS defense was able to break up this aerial
attempt. Fourth down loomed. Alex Longerbone was targeted as the
receiver, but the pass sailed high.
University of Minnesota-Morris had to accept the losing outcome. But the six wins during the season spelled pluses.
- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com
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