Briar Cliff University

The Briar Cliff football team battled back from an early deficit to even the score at halftime but was unable to carry the momentum into the second half, falling 37-14 to Concordia Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field.
 
Concordia opened the scoring with a four-yard rushing touchdown late in the first quarter before adding another touchdown early in the second to take a 14-0 lead.
 
The Chargers responded with a big play through the air as Brock Saya connected with Kymani Fleurme for a 33-yard touchdown with 6:57 remaining in the first half. The touchdown capped a four-play, 44-yard drive and put Briar Cliff on the board.
 
Concordia answered with another rushing touchdown to extend its lead to 21-7, but the Chargers continued to fight. Briar Cliff put together an eight-play, 74-yard drive, capped by a four-yard rushing touchdown from William Quintana with 28 seconds remaining in the half. The score sent the teams into the locker room with Concordia holding a 21-14 advantage.
 
The Broncos added a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter before breaking open the game with a 55-yard rushing touchdown late in the period. Concordia added another rushing touchdown early in the fourth to account for the final 37-14 score.
 
Offensively, Briar Cliff totaled 319 yards, including 228 through the air. Saya completed 14 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown while leading the passing attack. Chase Thomas paced the ground game with 71 yards on 14 carries, while Quintana added eight rushing yards and a touchdown.
 
Through the air, Ezra Heiner led the Chargers with five receptions for 66 yards. Ean Eldred added 39 receiving yards, while Fleurme finished with 33 yards and a touchdown.
 
Defensively, the Chargers recorded two interceptions. Dayton Harrell returned his interception 33 yards, while Marquise Thomas-Gray added a second interception with a four-yard return. Cameron Cayou led the defensive effort with seven total tackles, while Jayden Botteril added six and Gavin Giles finished with five.
 
Briar Cliff finished with 17 first downs and held possession for nearly 30 minutes. 
 
The Chargers return to action Saturday, November 14, traveling across town to take on the Morningside Mustangs. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.