Northfield, Minn. - Mike Kootsikas (Jr./Rosemount, Minn.) and R.J. Jackson (So./Roseville, Minn./De La Salle) each scored two touchdowns and the Knights defense forced three turnovers, but Carleton came up just short, falling to 16th ranked Concordia-Moorhead 39-31.
Jackson racked up 227 total yards, including an 81 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, as the Knights showed that they are no longer a team to be taken lightly in the MIAC.
Kevin Williamson started the scoring for Concordia, as he ran in from one yard out just two minutes into the game. It was his first of three touchdowns on the day. The point after attempt was blocked, making the score 6-0 Concordia.
The Knights responded quickly, as Jackson took a screen pass and raced 50 yards to set up a Kootsikas's first touchdown catch of the game.
Concordia then scored two straight touchdowns, but the Knights defense stopped both two-point conversion attempts to make the score 18-7 five seconds into the second quarter.
In past seasons this may have been the time when the Knights folded, allowing their nationally-ranked opponent to win in a rout. However, Jackson made sure that this season would be different, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to spark his teammates.
On the next Carleton drive Darren Caspers (Jr./Bemidji, Minn.) threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kootsikas to give the Knights a stunning 21-18 lead with 11:50 to go in the first half.
Concordia would rally, however, scoring three straight touchdowns to take a 39-21 lead with 4:11 to go in the third quarter. A 29-yard Jackson touchdown run and a 34 yard Matt Bond (Sr./Falls Church, Va./George Mason) field goal cut the Cobber lead to 39-31 with 13 minutes left in the game, but that would be all the scoring in the game, as Concordia held on for a 39-31 victory.
The Knights had an opportunity to tie the game in the final minute, as they drove to the Concordia seven yard line, but four straight incompletions ended the upset bid.
Cobber quarterback Brian Schumacher ran for 132 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing for a score, to lead Concordia.
Carleton linebacker James Colbenson (So./Rushford, Minn./Rushford-Peterson) had seven tackles, two for loss, and forced and recovered a fumble to lead the Knights defensively.
Carleton will return to the road next week, as they will travel to Minneapolis to face Augsburg College for a 1 p.m. start. The Knights will be back home on Saturday, October 8, as they host Northfield rivals St. Olaf in the annual Cereal Bowl. The game will also be Carleton's homecoming.
