Photo gallery by Geoffrey Mo ’19 and Hugh O’Connor ’20
NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Zach Creighton (Sr./Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) had a trio of touchdown runs, but the Carleton College football absorbed a 42-21 loss in its home opener in a non-conference matchup against the Lake Forest College.
The Foresters (2-0) came out firing on all cylinders, reaching the end zone on five of their seven first-half drives and finishing the afternoon with 650 yards of total offense.
Trailing 14-0 after the opening quarter, Carleton (0-2) forced a Lake Forest punt but was backed up at its own three-yard line. The Knights put together a five-play, 97-yard drive highlighted by an 84-yard burst up the middle by Creighton that set up the first of his three touchdown run. Unfortunately, the Foresters responded by scoring 21 unanswered points to close out the first half of play with a 35-7 lead.
Tables turned a bit for the Knights in the second half as they scored on their first drive, Creighton capped off the 16-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. He punched the ball into the end zone once again two drives later, bringing the score to 35-21 in favor of the visitors.
Lake Forest took advantage of a short field after Carleton failed to convert a fourth-down pass and added a late touchdown to conclude the scoring.
Creighton led the Knights offensively throwing 14-36 for 132 yards, and rushing for 135 yards on 19 carries and the three scores. Eric McGregor (So./Ellsworth, Wis./Ellsworth) paced the defense with 15 tackles, with Merrick Ducharme (Jr./Blooming Prairie, Minn./Hayfield) following close behind 10 tackles.
Joey Valdivia spearheaded the Foresters’ ground game, rushing 24 times for 166 yard and three touchdowns. Jagan Cleary finished with 387 passing yards and two scoring tosses.
Carleton continues play next Saturday, Sept. 17 when they take on No.4-ranked University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. the game will be broadcast on Power 96 (95.9 FM KQCL) in the Northfield/Faribault area and worldwide via Knights Online.
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