#17 Hastings College 28, Concordia University 18 (view stats)
No. 17 Hastings College scored 21 points in less than three minutes in the third quarter to rally for a 28-18 win over Concordia University on Saturday afternoon in Seward. The Broncos improved to 8-2 overall and 7-2 in the GPAC with the win. Concordia ended its season at 3-7 overall and in the GPAC.
Concordia controlled the game early on. On the opening drive of the game for the Broncos, Concordia’s Preston Harris picked off a Troy Huebert pass to set the Bulldogs up with solid field position. Concordia quarterback Kyle Schmidt quickly marched the Bulldogs down the field, and Schmidt’s 1-yard touchdown run gave Concordia the early 6-0 lead. The extra point attempt was blocked.
The score remained the same until the middle of the second quarter. Concordia’s Rett Miller broke a 52-yard touchdown run up the middle to increase the Bulldog lead to 12-0. The two-point conversion attempt failed.
Concordia threatened to score again late in the second quarter. The Bulldogs moved 74 yards in 12 plays and moved all the way to the Hastings College 9-yard line. However, Schmidt was picked off by Mackenzie Hemje, and Hemje returned the interception 85 yards for a touchdown. Concordia settled for a 12-7 lead at halftime.
The Broncos carried some momentum into the second half and took the lead early in the third quarter. After a Concordia fumble, Huebert connected with Justin Anderson on a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Hastings College its first lead of the game at 14-12.
On Concordia’s next drive, Schmidt was picked off once again, and Jeff Klug returned the interception 54 yards for a touchdown. Klug’s score increased the Bronco lead to 21-12.
Concordia failed to respond offensively and quickly gave the ball back to the Broncos. On the first play of the drive, Maurice Mansfield broke a 48-yard touchdown run to give Hastings College a 28-12 lead. Mansfield’s touchdown run gave the Broncos 21 points within a span of three minutes.
“You can’t expect to win games when you turn the ball over like that,” said Vance Winter, head coach of the Bulldogs. “We were playing really well, but those turnovers that lead directly to points are very tough to overcome.”
Concordia cut into the Hastings College lead early in the fourth quarter. Schmidt found Jamarcus Walker on an 81-yard touchdown strike to cut the lead to 10 at 28-18. The two-point conversion attempt was no good by the Bulldogs. Hastings College managed to run out the clock and settled for the 28-18 win.
Concordia had 16 first downs in the game compared to nine for Hastings College. The Bulldogs outgained the Broncos 436-258 in offensive yardage. Concordia totaled 292 yards through the air to go along with 164 yards on the ground. Hastings totaled 178 yards on the ground and 121 yards through the air. Turnovers were the story of the game. The Bulldogs had four turnovers, and the two interceptions led to 14 points for the Broncos.
Troy Huebert completed 8-of-16 passes for 121 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions for Hastings College. Maurice Mansfield added 13 carries for 101 yards and a score for the Broncos. Tyson Buresh had seven tackles to lead Hastings College defensively.
Kyle Schmidt completed 15-of-34 passes for 267 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Bulldogs. Rett Miller rushed for 114 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown to lead the Concordia rushing attack. Jake Griedl caught seven passes for 54 yards, and Jamarcus Walker caught two passes for 89 yards and a score.
Aaron Hannemann had a team-high 6.5 tackles to lead Concordia defensively. Ben Klein had two interceptions, and Preston Harris also added an interception for the Bulldogs.