(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston football team opened the 2010 season tonight with a non-conference game against Mayville State University at Ed Widseth Field. The Golden Eagles lead by as much as 37-0 with 10:05 remaining in the game before the Comets could find the end zone. At the final buzzer, it was Minnesota, Crookston 37 and Mayville State 6.

The Golden Eagles opened the scoring just four minutes into the first quarter when quarterback Tim Ennis (QB, 6-2, 210, Sr, Lancaster, Calif.) found Jordan Lecher (WR, 6-3, 195, Jr, Litchfield, Minn.) on a 25-yard touchdown strike that completed an eight play, 64-yard drive that took 3:52 off the clock. Minnesota, Crookston was held scoreless until the second half when Chris Secrest (K, 5-11, 170, So, Hollywood, Fla.) nailed a 24-yard field goal to put UMC up 10-0. Cecil Brown (DB, 5-10, 205, So, Edison, Ga.) made a big interception to set up that drive and stifle a Comet drive that was on the Golden Eagle 20-yard line. Ten minutes later, Keith McBride (RB, 5-11, 195, So, Lodi, Wis.) scampered for a 2-yard score that capped off a three play, 54-yard drive. The drive was sparked by another Ennis to Lecher connection that covered 43-yards, Lecher's longest reception of the night and the second longest of his career. The Golden Eagles would go into halftime up 17-0.

Minnesota, Crookston kept the offensive pressure on in the second half as the team scored 20 more points. At the 11:39 mark of the third quarter and on the first play of the drive, McBride busted a 58-yard touchdown run that set a new career-high. At the 3:27 mark Ennis found Antonio Williams (WR, 6-2, 220, Sr, West Palm Beach, Fla.) on a career-high 35-yard touchdown pass completion to put the Golden Eagles up 31-0 going into the fourth quarter. Five minutes into the final session, freshman Josh Perea (QB, 6-0, 175, Fr, Pico Rivera, Calif.) took over the reins of the Golden Eagle offense. He got comfortable quickly as he connected with Eric Ogorek (WR, 6-0, 175, So, Hallock, Minn.) for a 60-yard touchdown. It was both player's first collegiate score and current career-high for longest play from scrimmage. Mayville State continued to fight and at the 5:07 mark of the fourth quarter, quarterback Tanner Carpenter found Tony Evenstad in the back of the UMC end zone for a Comet score. The point after was blocked and the Golden Eagles took the victory 37-6.

Leading the way for the Golden Eagles offensively was Lecher who caught eight passes for 131-yards (career high) and one touchdown. McBride rushed 11 times for 111-yards (10.1 yards/rush) and two touchdowns. Ennis threw 23 times and completed 15 with one interception. He tallied 225 total yards and two touchdowns. Perea was a perfect 2-2 throwing the ball and earned 66 passing yards and one touchdown pass. Leading the Golden Eagle defense was Brown who earned 10 total tackles (5 solo, 5 assisted), two pass breakups and one interception. Micah Miller (DB, 6-0, 205, So, Chipley, Fla.) also tallied 10 total tackles (2 solo, 8 assisted) and a half of a sack.

Mayville State was led by Tanner Carpenter who threw 31 times with 10 completions for 117-yards and one touchdown. Mitch Ford rushed 18 times for 49-yards. Defensively the Comets were led by Dominique Bradley who earned nine total tackles (6 solo, 3 assisted).

The Golden Eagles are 1-0 overall this season and 0-0 in the NSIC. The team travels to Wayne, Neb. on Saturday, September 11 to play the Wildcats of Wayne State in NSIC action. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at: www.goldeneaglesports.com.  

The University of Minnesota, Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

Photos: (Top) Jordan Lecher and (Bottom) Cecil Brown were named offensive and defensive players of the game.


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