ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University football team lost 24-14 to Notre Dame on Senior Day in a Mountain East Conference clash Saturday afternoon at Callaghan Stadium.
The Mountain Lions (1-9, 1-8 MEC) led two different times, 7-3 and 14-10, in the first half, but was shutout in the second half by Notre Dame (7-3, 6-3 MEC).
After NDC opened the scoring with a 33-yard field with 2:35 remaining in the first quarter, Concord needed just five plays and 2:40 to drive 75 yards to take its first lead of the day. Sixth-year wide receiver
Kris Copeland made a juggling catch in the front corner of the end zone while falling down on the first play of the second quarter. Copeland's 37-yard reception from senior quarterback
Jack Mangel was his eighth touchdown of the season.
The Falcons came back with a 10-play drive that consumed more than five minutes to go up 10-7 with 9:17 left in the first half. However, CU responded with its own 10-play scoring drive as Mangel hit junior tight end
Jordyn Bentley for a nine-yard score to give Concord a 14-10 edge.
After the Mountain Lions halted a Notre Dame drive inside the CU 30-yard line with 1:40 remaining, Concord was able to drive the length of the field, but a 43-yard field goal was wide right at the halftime buzzer.
NDC scored on the opening possession of the second half to take back a 17-14 edge—the final lead change in the game. It appeared CU would at least tie the game at the halfway point of the third quarter. Concord's defense forced a three-and-out with 7:28 remaining, and was set up at midfield. But, NDC intercepted a deflected pass and took back the momentum.
Concord got its own turnover inside the NDC 30-yard line early in the fourth quarter after graduate defensive lineman
Vonte Pannell ripped the ball away on a strip sack. Senior defensive lineman
Haven Chapman pounced on the fumble recovery.
Despite the good field position and trailing 24-14, Concord turned the ball over on downs with 11:04 remaining. The Mountain Lions were unable to threaten the scoreboard again.
In his final home game at CU, Mangel went over 9,000 career passing yards by tossing for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Copeland made nine of his 12 catches in the first half, finishing with 12 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in what was his final home game.
Freshman defensive back
Kendall Bournes notched a career-best 16 tackles. Pannell tied his career high with nine tackles to go with the second-half sack and forced fumble.
CU concludes the 2023 season at UNC Pembroke Saturday, November 11 at 4:00 p.m.
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