Game Photo Gallery courteous of Keepers By Kelly
(Ypsilanti, MI) – September 14th, 2013 will be a day to remember for Concordia University as the Concordia Cardinals took the field at Rynearson Stadium on Eastern Michigan's campus. The 2013 home opener saw one of the largest crowds in CUAA history as the Cardinals stormed the field against the Pioneers from Alfred State.
After a beautiful version of the National Anthem sung by Concordia junior Megan Schultz, Alfred State kicked off at just after 1:00pm. The Cardinals' first drive did not go as planned with an early interception by Alfred State's Brett Harrington (Rochester, NY/Edison HS). However, the Cardinals' defense held its opponent to a quick 3 and out. The Cardinal offense used the momentum gained by their defense and went 60 yards down the field in 14 plays to score the first points of the game. The touchdown occurred on a 4th and goal on the Pioneers' 8 yard line when sophomore QB Tyler Steele (Garden City, MI/Garden City HS) dropped back to pass and found freshman wide receiver D'Karas Fields (Gainesville, FL/P.K Yonge HS) in the end zone. Senior kicker Nathan Smith (Lapeer, MI/Lapeer West HS) knocked in the point after to put the Cardinals up 7-0. The score remained 7-0 for the rest of the 1st quarter.
In the Cardinals' first possession of the 2nd quarter they marched down the field once again in an 8 play 80 yard effort ending with a 5 yard strike from QB Steele to freshman WR Austin Douglass (Detroit, MI/Clarenceville HS). The drive also included a 69 yard pass from Steele to sophomore WR Corey Turner (Woodhaven, MI/Riverview Community HS).
The Pioneers answered right back as they went 67 yards in 9 plays scoring their first NCAA DIII touchdown in program history. The Pioneers applied and were accepted into the NCAA this pass summer. The ASU touchdown occurred on Rasheed Williams' (Swedesboro, NJ/Kingsway HS) 1 yard dive into the end zone to cut the Cardinal lead to 14-6. Alfred State was unable to knock home the extra point.
It would take the Cardinals just 3 plays to score again as Steele would hook up with freshman Ashton Hundley (Ypsilanti, MI/Gabriel Richard HS) for a 49 yd catch and run to put the Cardinals up 21-6 after the extra point from Smith. The Cardinals would head into the locker room at the break with a lead (21-6) for the first time in the young programs history.
The Pioneers would start the 3rd quarter with the ball but would go three and out as the Cardinals' defense was relentless. In the Cardinals' first possession of the second half they would go 76 yards on 8 plays which ended with Steele and Fields hooking up for the second time in game on a 24 yd TD pass. With the touchdown the Cardinals would go up 28-6 which is how the score would remain for the rest of the 3rd quarter.
The Cardinals had the ball to start the 4th quarter and for the third time in the game CUAA marched down the field in their first possession. With good field position to start the drive the Cardinals sent in sophomore QB Beau Perry (Anaheim Hills, CA/Canyon HS) under center and on his first pass attempt Perry would complete a 33 yard pass to D'Karas Fields who scored his third touchdown on the day. Smith added the extra point and the Cardinals went up 35-6.
The Cardinals were 13 minutes from their first ever victory as a varsity program but the Pioneers would not go down without a fight. ASU responded with a 14 play drive that ended with a TD pass from Gregory Hampton (Uniondale, NY/Uniondale HS) to Khris Greggs (Rochester, NY/Aquinas HS). The Cardinals blocked the point after but the ball would be scooped up by ASU kicker Keegan Phalen (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora HS) and ran in for a 2pt score (35-14). After a turnover on downs by the Cardinals, Alfred State would go 78 yards on 9 plays to pull within two touchdowns (35-21) with 3:04 left on the clock.
The Cardinals ran the clock down to 1:38 but would have to punt. The Pioneers tried for a quick score to keep their comeback dreams alive but the Cardinal defense rallied and the game would end on a crushing blow by junior linebacker Takari Johnson (Lansing, MI/Lansing Eastern HS) on his second sack of the game.
In the Cardinals' first ever win as a varsity program the offense looked spectacular throwing for a combined 316 yards and 5 touchdowns between the two QBs. Tyler Steele threw for 283 yards and 4 TDs while Beau Perry threw for 33 yards and 1 TD on his only attempt. D'Karas Fields grabbed 6 receptions for 125 yards and 3 touchdowns setting the single game record for both yards and touchdowns in a game at Concordia. Fields was not the only receiver to break the century mark as Corey Turner snagged 5 receptions for 115 yards. Ashton Hundley added 4 receptions for 53 yards and a score while Austin Douglass had the Cardinals other TD on his only reception of the game.
The Cardinals' defense was equally impressive in CUAA's first ever win as Takari Johnson had 12.5 total tackles including 2 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss of 18 yards. Fellow junior linebacker Gabe Cox (Laurel, MD/Meade Senior HS) added 10 tackles for Concordia. Freshman defensive lineman Tom Knott (Monroe, MI/Monroe HS) added 4.5 tackles including 1.5 sacks for a net loss of 13 yards. Freshman DB Lawrence Harris (Detroit, MI/Northwestern HS) grabbed his first career interception in the game.
After the game Cardinals' Head Coach Lonnie Pries stated that "we are extremely proud of our players today, but especially our seniors who have committed themselves to this program. They have been a great example of perseverance to each other and the rest of their teammates."
The Cardinals next game will be the 2013 Homecoming game at Huron High School's Riverbank Stadium. The game is scheduled for Saturday Sept. 21st against the Tigers from Olivet Nazarene with kick off set for 1:00pm. Come on out and support your 2013 Concordia Cardinals.
