WHITEWATER, Wisc. – The Carleton College football team was stung by big plays in their season opener, and fell 45-14 to the No. 24-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks.
 
On the opening drive of the game the Knights (0-1) went for it on fourth down, and a deep jump ball from Jack Curtis was picked off by UW-Whitewater's (1-0) Carter Sessa. The hosts used 10 plays to get into the red zone, but Carleton's defense held firm at the six-yard line to force a field goal at 7:14 in the opening frame. After a Knights three-and-out, the Warhawks ground out a methodical 14-play touchdown drive, concluding with QB Justin Klinkner punching in a one-yard run at 13:15 in the second.  
 
The squads traded punts, and Carleton got on the board for the first time on the ensuing drive. Curtis found Tyler Dimond streaking down the left sideline for 37 yards to get the Knights into Whitewater territory, and the senior signal-caller floated an 11-yard touchdown pass to Rye Storrs four plays later, making it 10-7 at 6:44 in the second.
 
Return man Tyler Vasey didn't let Carleton celebrate long, as the reigning WIAC Special Teams Player of the Year sprinted 91 yards to the end zone on the kickoff to extend UW-Whitewater's edge back to 10 points. The Warhawks made it 24-7 just 19 seconds before halftime when Cole Berghorn scored a three-yard rushing touchdown.
 
Carleton's defense stifled the Warhawks on their first two drives out of the locker room. The Knights found a little purchase, but had their best sequence snuffed out by a goal-line interception and the Warhawks got two long rushing scores late in the third. 
 
Another long rushing touchdown for Whitewater extended their lead in the early fourth quarter. After Carleton got the ball back, debutant Evan Olds capped a 16-play, eight-minute drive with his first collegiate touchdown, a one-yard rush at 3:06.
 
Curtis finished 30-for-43 through the air, compiling 202 yards, a touchdown, and two picks. Storrs blew past his career high in catches with 10, totaling 67 yards and a touchdown.
 
Owen Detmer led the game with a career-high 12 tackles. Jake Reinke tallied 11 stops, also a career best. Luke Sugalski had 2.0 tackles for loss and combined with Zach Ventura on Carleton's only sack.
 
Whitewater amassed 510 yards, 436 coming on the ground, while Carleton gained 264 yards.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Following a bye week, Carleton returns to Laird Stadium to begin their MIAC slate against Macalester College. Kickoff on September 20 is set for 1:00 p.m.