by Alexis Spier, photos by Dayne Davis–The Mustangs lost their first conference game since 2014 when they traveled to Orange City Saturday, October 28.
The last time Morningside lost in a conference game was to the Doane Tigers November 15, 2014. It was also a snowy match up and the Mustangs fell 49-48. The last time Morningside lost a regular season game was in 2016 when they traveled to Indiana and fell to Saint Francis 42-35.
It felt like Christmas when the first snow hit the ground on a much anticipated match between Morningside and Northwestern. The last time the Mustangs faced the Raiders was in the opening game of the 2022 season when they defeated Northwestern 30-29. The Raiders would go on to win the 2022 NAIA championship title and earn the #1 spot in the Nation for the 2023 season. The Mustangs were placed at #3 in the Nation.
This game was not like the others. Not because it was between two rivals, but because it was the first game of the season where snow was a constant factor. For the entirety of the game it never stopped snowing. Each yard line had to be shoveled in between breaks, because the spotters couldn’t see where the ball was marked.
The players were clicking their heels and slapping their gloves together between plays, so they could get a grip. It was a battle of the two best teams in the conference and a battle with the cold snow.
Ryan Cole put Morningside up 13-0 with two running touchdowns for a combined six yards. The Raiders matched the Mustangs with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jalyn Gramstad to Michael Storey and a seven yard run for Konner McQuilla. Lennx Brown ran the ball for a 39-yard touchdown, putting the Mustangs ahead 20-13 at half.
Gramstad followed Brown’s run with a 38-yard touchdown run tying the score at 20. The Raiders scored two more times with a 56-yard touchdown run by McQuilla and an 11-yard pass from Gramstad to Austyn Gerard. The Mustangs were unable to find the end zone again and fell 34-20.
The Raider’s quarterback, Gramstad, completed 15-24 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Gramstad also led in rushing yards with 21 attempts for 146 yards and a touchdown. Storey led in receiving with five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.
The Mustang’s quarterback, Brown, completed 8-17 passes for 78 yards and led in rushing yards with 19 attempts for 99 yards and a touchdown. Cole also ran the ball 19 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Drew Sellon led in receiving with two attempts for 44 yards. Morningside had no passing touchdowns on the game.
Isaac Pingle led the Mustangs with 11 solo tackles, 14 total tackles, and a tackle for loss. Lonell Boyd Jr added to the defense with an interception for three yards.
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