URBANA, Ohio – A stalwart defensive showing from the Concord University football team led the Mountain Lions to a 23-7 win over Urbana at UU Stadium Saturday afternoon in Mountain East Conference play.
Concord surrendered just 186 total yards of offense to the Blue Knights as CU improved to 2-1 overall and in the league. Meanwhile, Urbana fell to 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the MEC.
A week after giving up just 201 yards to Fairmont State, the Concord defense bettered itself by giving up 186 to Urbana.
The last time the Mountain Lions allowed 225 yards of offense or less in consecutive games was a three-game stretch in 2013 versus West Virginia Wesleyan, Bowie State and West Liberty.
Urbana picked up six first downs on the game's opening drive and drove deep in Concord territory before stalling out on downs. From there, it only took the Mountain Lions two plays to get on the board as sophomore wide receiver
Jermeil Douse caught a short pass from junior quarterback
Brian Novak and beat the Blue Knights defense to the end zone for a 7-0 CU edge in the first quarter.
The game would remain 7-0 in favor of Concord until senior kicker
Andy Ellington converted his first field goal of the season, and one of three makes on the day, to push the Mountain Lions in front 10-0 with 8:32 left in the first half.
The drive was set up by an interception from senior defensive back
LaKeem Goode, and a 17-yard connection from Novak to Douse.
Concord grabbed a 17-0 lead into halftime as senior running back
Calvinaugh Jones scored on a four-yard rushing touchdown with 1:58 remaining in the second quarter.
Ellington added to the lead to start the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal, but it was fellow special teamer sophomore punter
Garrett Lee that kept the drive alive with a 22-yard run on a fake punt.
The CU defense was able to keep Urbana off the scoreboard offensively, but the Blue Knights scored a defensive touchdown on a sack, fumble recovery by Curtis Galloway to start the fourth quarter, trimming the CU lead to 20-7.
Ellington booted his final field goal with 9:54 left in the game to give Concord its final margin of victory, 23-7.
The last time CU did not surrender an offensive touchdown in a game was Oct. 26, 2013 at Charleston when Concord won 9-3.
Senior linebacker
Cade Rogers led the defensive effort for Concord with seven tackles and two pass break-ups.
After giving up the six first downs on the first drive of the contest, Concord allowed five first downs the rest of the game.
Novak finished the game 23-for-34 through the air with 224 yards and one touchdown. Novak needs just 58 yards to eclipse 6,000 yards for his Concord career heading into next week's game.
Douse caught six passes for 122 yards and a touchdown . Both of Douse's 100-yard receiving games in his career has come against Urbana as he racked up 155 receiving yards last year.
Senior fullback
Shaun Workinger was the leading rusher for the Mountain Lions as he tallied 73 yards on 25 carries.
CU returns home next week Sept. 26 at 12:00 p.m. to face West Virginia Wesleyan.
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