Morningside scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:32 remaining and held off Dordt for a 35-31 decision on Saturday at Open Space Park in Sioux Center.
Box Score (PDF)
The Defenders fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in Great Plains Athletic Conference play. Morningside improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
Dordt scored first after putting together a 16-play, 62-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard field goal by [Stephen Leinen] with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
Morningside took the lead early in the second quarter when Max Hough scored on a 7-yard run to finish a 13-play, 75-yard drive. The Mustangs extended the lead to 14-3 when Tyler Smith connected with Drew Sellon for a 30-yard touchdown with 8:53 left in the half.
Dordt answered later in the quarter with an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Tyler Mantel capped the possession with a 9-yard touchdown run, cutting the margin to 14-10 at halftime.
The Defenders took the lead on their opening possession of the second half. Noah Strickfaden completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to [Cole Snyder], finishing a six-play, 75-yard drive and putting Dordt in front 17-14.
Morningside responded with a 19-play, 69-yard drive that used 7:47 and ended with Colin Gordon's 3-yard touchdown run. Dordt came back quickly, covering 75 yards in four plays. Strickfaden found Kaden Harken for a 23-yard touchdown, giving the Defenders a 24-21 lead with 1:59 remaining in the third quarter.
The Mustangs regained the lead late in the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Juven Hudson, finishing a seven-play, 75-yard drive and putting Morningside ahead 28-24.
Dordt moved back in front early in the fourth quarter after the defense forced a turnover on downs deep in Morningside territory. Mantel scored from one yard out with 12:06 left, giving the Defenders a 31-28 lead.
Morningside answered with the decisive drive, going 75 yards in 13 plays. Gordon scored his second touchdown of the game from three yards out with 5:32 remaining to put the Mustangs ahead 35-31.
Dordt started its final full possession at its own 31-yard line, but Morningside came up with an interception and ran out the final minutes to secure the win.
Dordt totaled 416 yards, including 287 through the air, and averaged 7.2 yards per play. The Defenders finished with 21 first downs and converted 4-of-11 third-down opportunities. Morningside totaled 492 yards, including 270 passing and 222 rushing, and went 11-of-18 on third down.
Strickfaden completed 19-of-37 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. Harken caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
Mantel led Dordt's rushing attack with two touchdowns on 10 carries. Thomas Fritz Jr. added 54 rushing yards on four carries, including a 50-yard run. Snyder caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Isaac Kacmarynski led the defense with 17 tackles, including 13 solo stops. Cole Johnson totaled 10 tackles and two pass breakups, while Seth Wilson and Nathan Feldmann each had eight tackles. Dordt finished with five tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
Morningside is 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the league while Dordt is 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the GPAC. Dordt will travel to Concordia on Saturday, September 26 for a 1pm kickoff.Â
By the Numbers
- Total offense: Morningside 492, Dordt 416
- Rushing yards: Morningside 222, Dordt 129
- Passing yards: Morningside 270, Dordt 287
- First downs: Morningside 23, Dordt 21
- Third downs: Morningside 11-of-18, Dordt 4-of-11
- Yards per play: Morningside 5.5, Dordt 7.2
- Penalties: Morningside 3-35, Dordt 5-49
- Turnovers: Morningside 1, Dordt 1
Dordt Leaders
- Passing: Noah Strickfaden, 19-of-37, 287 yards, two touchdowns
- Rushing: Thomas Fritz Jr., four carries, 54 yards
- Receiving: Kaden Harken, seven catches, 114 yards, one touchdown
- Tackles: Isaac Kacmarynski, 17
- Pass breakups: Cole Johnson, two
