(Crookston, Minn.)- The University of Minnesota, Crookston Football team hosted a red-hot Concordia-St. Paul team today at Ed Widseth Field on the UMC Campus. The Golden Bear defense changed the momentum of the game at 14:01 of the third quarter when Denzell Blackmon intercepted a Josh Perea (QB, 6-0, 175, Fr, Pico Rivera, Calif.) pass and returned it 44 yards for a score. Concordia-St. Paul added 14 more points in the third quarter to seal the 41-7 victory. Minnesota, Crookston continued to play for the full 60 minutes and put seven points on the board with 9:28 remaining when Perea capped a 12 play, 49 yard drive with a one yard touchdown rush.
 
The Golden Eagles were led by co-offensive players of the game Keith McBride (RB, 5-11, 195, So, Lodi, Wis.) and Payton Kujava (WR, 5-10, 160, Fr, Ada, Minn.). McBride rushed a season-high 26 times for 91 yards and averaged 3.5 yards/rush. Kujava caught a career-high five passes for 53 yards and a long of 14 yards. Perea completed 11 passes for 99 yards with a long of 26 yards. The Golden Eagle offense set a season-high with 47 total rushes in the game. Defensive player of the game Cecil Brown (DB, 5-10, 205, So, Edison, Ga.) led UMC with 10 total tackles (6 solo, 4 assisted). Cody Hendrickson (DB, 5-10, 185, Jr, Wright, Minn.) tallied six total tackles and broke up two Golden Bear passing plays. Jason Burdick (LB, 6-1, 190, Jr, Devils Lake, N.D.) earned five total tackles, one sack for a loss of four yards and forced one fumble.
 
Concordia-St. Paul was led by quarterback Spencer Ohm who completed 12 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Sam Campbell rushed 14 times for 113 yards, one touchdown and averaged 8.1 yards/carry. Charles Gilbert and Hayden Vavra each caught three passes. Gilbert tallied 76 yards and one score while Vavra earned 55 yards. Campbell also caught two passes going for scores. Jake Vann led all defenders with 13 total tackles (5 solo, 8 assisted). Blackmon, Al Quaye and Johnny Johnson each pulled in interceptions for the Golden Bears.
 
The Golden Eagles are 1-8 overall and 0-8 in NSIC play. Concordia-St. Paul advances to 6-3 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Minnesota, Crookston hosts Minnesota Duluth next Saturday, November 6 at Ed Widseth Field. 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).

Photo: Payton Kujava
 
 
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