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deas
Delaney Martinez-Wilson
Brandon Deas comes up with an interception in the second quarter against Nebraska-Wesleyan.
28
Neb. Wesleyan NWU 1-9 , 0-8
35
Winner Luther LUT 2-8 , 2-6
Neb. Wesleyan NWU
1-9 , 0-8
28
Final
35
Luther LUT
2-8 , 2-6
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
NWU Neb. Wesleyan 7 7 7 7 28
LUT Luther 14 7 6 8 35

Game Recap: Football |

Seniors sail off with 35-28 win

DECORAH, Iowa  – Big things are brewing for the Luther College football team. The Norse made waves in their final game of the 2022 season, defeating Nebraska-Wesleyan University 35-28 at Legacy Field in Carlson Stadium. The victory counts as Luther's first home win since upending the same Prairie Wolves team on November 9, 2019 and the first win on the blue turf in head coach Joe Troche's career. It also allows the Norse to send their seniors off in style, as Luther closes the 2022 season with an overall record of 2-8 and a 2-6 record in American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) play. 

BY THE NUMBERS
The Norse were the better team from start to finish, as they overcame wind, snow, sleet and sun shower to earn their second win of the 2022 season. In fact, Luther's defense started the game with a bang, as defensive end Sam Feine (Andover, Minn. / Andover) forced a fumble on Nebraska-Wesleyan's very first offensive play of the game. Karl Fuhrman (Maple Grove, Minn. / Osseo) recovered the football at the Prairie Wolves 43 yard line to give the Norse prime field position for their first offensive drive of the game. Luther took advantage of the opportunity, as Beau Cornwell (Iowa City, Iowa / North Branch) found Andre Atkins for a 31-yard touchdown reception then converted the extra-point attempt to give the Norse an early 7-0 lead. 

Two possessions later, another forced turnover by the Luther defense resulted in another Norse touchdown. Aydan Holub-Schultz (Mount Vernon, Iowa / Mount Vernon) intercepted Carter Terry's pass in Nebraska-Wesleyan territory, resulting in another Luther offensive possession in its opponents territory. This time, it was first and 10 from the Prairie Wolves 27, and the Norse were once again able to capitalize on the turnover. The touchdown looked very similar to the first, albeit from a shorter distance. Cornwell again connected with Atkins for a six-yard touchdown drive and also converted the extra point attempt, making it 14-0 Luther with 4:33 remaining in the first quarter. 

Nebraska-Wesleyan managed to cut the Norse lead to 14-7 in the closing seconds of the first quarter, but Luther answered by recording its third interception of the day just 16 seconds into the second. This time, it was Brandon Deas (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Thomas B. Doherty) who came up with the clutch grab, intercepting Terry at the Luther three yard line to end the Prairie Wolves threat. While the Norse were unable to score after Deas interception, the defense continued to hold Nebraska-Wesleyan at bay, as Matt Canada (Tempe, Ariz. / Marcos De Niza) sacked Terry on fourth and nine, ending the Prairie Wolves drive and forcing a turnover on downs in Luther territory. The Norse once again capitalized on the defensive play, as Vershon Brooks (Brighton, Colo. / Brighton) ran for a 45-yard touchdown to make it 21-7 Luther with three minutes remaining in the half. 

Again, Nebraska-Wesleyan scored in the closing minute to cut the Norse lead to a touchdown at 21-14. Still, it felt like Luther was in full control of the game, as the defense continued to dominate well into the third quarter. The Prairie Wolves did give Norse fans pause, though, at 3:55 in the third, when they managed to tie the game at 21-21. Luther responded, though, in the best way possible, as Cornwell found Abel Espinoza (Clinton, Wis. / Clinton) in the back of the end zone, boosting the Norse lead to 27-21 in the closing seconds of the third. 

Luther went ahead and scored eight points in the fourth quarter of the game, cementing their victory with a Blake Storby (Lake Mills, Iowa / Lake Mills Community) touchdown and Atkins two-point conversion. Nebraska-Wesleyan managed to score one final touchdown with 48 seconds on the clock, but it was no harm, no foul for the Norse. With a 35-28 lead, the Prairie Wolves onside kick attempt ended up in the hands of senior defensive end Josh Matanich (Lake City, Minn. / Lincoln), allowing Cody Hocker (Beavercreek, Ohio / Beavercreek) to take the final knee of the 2022 season, securing the 35-28 victory for Luther. 

TOP NORSE 

  • Beau Cornwell (Iowa City, Iowa / West Branch) threw for 298 yards in the victory, going 26-44 with four touchdowns and zero interceptions. 
  • Andre Atkins (East Palo Alto, Calif. / Junipero Serra) was Cornwell's favorite target, as he tallied 88 receiving yards with two touchdowns. Vershon Brooks (Brighton, Colo. / Brighton) eclipsed the 100 rush yards mark, rushing for 134 total on 22 attempts with one touchdown. 
  • Sam Bundy (Arvada, Colo. / West)  led the Norse defensive efforts, tallying a team-leading 12 tackles, including .5 for loss, and an interception in the victory. Sam Feine (Andover, Minn. / Andover) recorded seven tackles, 4.5 of which were for loss, 1.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one break up and one quarterback hurry in the win. 
  • In addition to Bundy, Brandon Deas (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Thomas B. Doherty), Xander Franquero (Phoenix, Ariz. / Desert Vista) and Aydan Holub-Schultz (Mount Vernon, Iowa / Mount Vernon) tallied interceptions for Luther.  
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