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Cardinals fall to host New Ulm after taking lead into fourth quarter

By
John Sichmeller for the Star Herald

A promising start led to a disappointing finish for the Luverne Cardinals football team against New Ulm Friday night in New Ulm. The Cardinals took a 20-7 lead into halftime and led 26-14 after scoring early in the fourth quarter.
Unfortunately for the Cardinals, New Ulm scored 28 points in the final 8:18 of the game to secure a 42-32 victory.
The loss dropped the Luverne record to 2-2 on the season.
“It was a disappointing loss, but when you give up 28 points in the fourth quarter, you’re not going to win very often,” said Luverne coach Todd Oye.
“It was a combination of poor play on special teams, offense and defense.”
The Luverne offense, which scored a season-best 36 points in a shortened game last week versus Windom, picked up right where it left off last week by scoring on the opening drive. Taking over at their own 41-yard line, the Cardinals utilized a nice third-down catch by running back Tyson Cowell from quarterback Conner Connell to keep their opening drive going.
Four plays later the Cardinals would get in the end zone after Connell squeezed a throw between two New Ulm defenders that found senior wide receiver Gannon Ahrendt for a 29-yard Cardinal touchdown. After a failed 2-point conversion attempt, Luverne held a 6-0 lead with 5:54 remaining in the first quarter.
After a defensive stop, the Cardinals were not able to advance the ball on their next possession and were forced to punt. The Luverne punt attempt failed when the snap was dropped by the Cardinal punter, giving New Ulm excellent field position as they took over at the Luverne 31-yard line. New Ulm swiftly moved the ball down the field and scored their first points of the game when quarterback Ayden Jensen ran for three yards into the end zone. After a successful point after kick, the Eagles took a 7-6 lead with 2:10 to go in the first quarter.
New Ulm forced the Cardinals to punt on their next possession and the Eagle offense quickly moved the ball down to the 5-yard line. However, senior linebacker Riley Sneller came up with a key interception in the end zone to prevent the Eagles from scoring.
The Cardinals kept the momentum going when Connell found wide receiver Gavin DeBeer on the left side of the field for a 70-yard touchdown catch.  Sophomore quarterback Carter Sehr ran the ball into the end zone on the two-point conversion attempt, giving Luverne a 14-7 lead with 9:06 remaining in the second quarter.
The Cardinals’ defense held strong on the next New Ulm possession, and Luverne took over on their own 20-yard line. The Cardinals put together one of their best drives of the game with good runs from Cowell and Connell and a 23-yard catch from Ahrendt. The Cardinals finished the drive with a Connell pitch to Ahrendt who then threw to junior receiver Elliot Domagala in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. The Cardinals were unsuccessful on their two-point conversion attempt and held a 20-7 lead with 37 seconds left in the second quarter.
New Ulm ran just two plays before time expired in the first half.
The Eagles scored the only points of the third quarter when running back Ty Frederick took a 17-yard run into the Cardinal end zone. After a successful point after kick, the Eagles trailed Luverne 20-14 with 2:37 to go in the third quarter.
Luverne was able to answer back on their next drive as they put together a six-play, 64-yard drive. Connell did most of the damage on the drive for the Cardinals as he registered a 47-yard run to get the ball deep in New Ulm territory. Connell finished out the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, the Cardinals led 26-14 with 11:54 to go in the game.
The Eagles bounced right back after the Luverne scoring drive with one of their own. Jensen was able to finish the drive with a 20-yard touchdown run with 8:18 to go in the fourth quarter. The New Ulm extra point was good and the score was now 26-21 in favor of Luverne.
The Cardinals were forced to punt on their next possession and the New Ulm offense continued to stay hot as they were able to move the ball quickly back into the Luverne end zone. Frederick finished off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run for the Eagles. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion attempt, New Ulm now held the lead 27-26 with 5:14 to go in the fourth quarter.
Things continued to go downhill for the Cardinals on their next drive when Sehr’s pass was intercepted by the Eagles. Just two plays later Frederick scored on a 13-yard run. New Ulm completed the two-point conversion and now held a 35-26 lead with 4:21 remaining in the game.
The Cardinals answered right back with a score of their own. Connell completed passes to Domagala and Ahrendt to get the Cardinals quickly inside the New Ulm 20-yard line. Connell connected with Ahrendt for an 18-yard touchdown. After the extra point attempt was missed, the New Ulm lead was now 35-32 with 3:21 left in the fourth quarter.
New Ulm put the game out of reach on their next possession as Jensen completed a 35-yard touchdown pass with just 1:24 remaining in the game, giving New Ulm the lead at 42-32, the final score of the game.
Luverne’s next game will be their homecoming game versus Worthington on Friday night at Cardinal Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
Team statistics:
Luverne: 113 rushing yards, 351 passing yards, 464 total yards, 18 first downs, 5 penalties for 30 yards, 1 turnover.
New Ulm: 179 rushing yards, 245 passing yards, 424 total yards, 18 first downs, 5 penalties for 50 yards, 1 turnover.
Individual Statistics:
Rushing: Tyson Cowell 17-71, Conner Connell 12-39 (1 TD)
Passing: Conner Connell 11-24, 267 yards (3 TD’s). Carter Sehr 2-5, 71 yards, Gannon Ahrendt 1-1, 13 yards (1 TD).
Receiving: Gannon Ahrendt 7-157 (2 TD’s), Gavin DeBeer 2-82 (1 TD), Conner Connell 2-47, Elliot Domagala 2-46 (1 TD), Tyson Cowell 1-19
Defense: Eli Woodley 7.5 tackles, Conner Connell 6 tackles, Patrick Kroski 5 tackles, Gavin Baum 5 tackles

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