Concordia University came up short in a barn-burner against Grand View University. Grand View will be one of the final 8 teams playing towards the NAIA Championship next week. They await the result of the other 8 games to determine their next opponent.

 

These two teams matched one another score for score the entire game. Concordia committed more mistakes. The game came down to three plays.

 

With the game tied coming down to the final 3 minutes of the first half, GVU was forced to punt the ball. The punt was blocked by the Cardinals and they recover on the GVU 22 yard line with plenty of time to score before the half. After celebrating this turn of events, it is noticed that the officials are conferring about a penalty. Concordia is called for a personal foul. In attempting to get to the ball, one of Concordia’s players tried to leap the blockers lined up in front of the punter. That is a personal foul and gives GVU a 1st down, thus erasing a golden opportunity for Concordia to go ahead before the half. In fact, GVU proceeds to march down the field and went up by 7 at the half, 17-10.

 

Concordia scored to start the second half but also gave up a score to the GVU offense. It was 24-17 GVU. Then the second huge error occurred on the day that would affect the outcome. On the kick-off, Concordia’s returner misjudged the ball and allowed it to land and roll towards the sideline and the end zone. He didn’t appear to recognize the situation as he began to watch the ball roll. I guess he expected it to go out of bounds. GVU ran to the ball and gathered it in at the 1-yard line. That was clearly a mental error that cost the Cardinals dearly. GVU got their second TD within a minute and was up 31-17 in the 3rd period.

 

Concordia did not give up and stormed back to score two more times in the 4th quarter, both TDs. With the score 31-30 GVU, the Cardinals lined up for the extra point to tie the game. It was blocked. And with just over 4 minutes to go, GVU was able to run out the clock for the win to register the second time this season CUAA would lose because of a blocked kick. The Cardinals must travel the 8 hours home, having finished a very successful season, on a bad note. Hopefully, the underclassman will use this as a motivation to work hard in the off-season to change the outcome for next year.

The Cardinals had a successful season and have a lot to build on. I appreciate your game reports and insight each week and look forward to next season with you.