Box Score

GALESBURG, Ill. - The Ripon College football team snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday afternoon, defeating Knox College 37-29 behind 425 rushing yards. That is just 11 rushing yards shy of the top 10 single game performances in school history. The win marks Ripon's 17th consecutive victory over Knox, dating back to 1987, and improves Ripon Head Coach Ron Ernst's career record against the Prairie Fire to 17-0.

The Red Hawks (3-2, 2-2 MWC) looked like they were in for a big day early on as they took the opening drive 75 yards in six plays, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown run by Eric Langman for the first points of the game. Knox (0-5, 0-4 MWC) was intent on making things interesting however, tying the game on the ensuing drive on a 12-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a one-yard plunge by Derek Mortensen.

Ripon grabbed the lead back early in the second quarter when quarterback Stephen Covalt found pay dirt from 14 yards away. The Red Hawks then took a 17-7 lead into halftime thanks to a 38-yard field goal by Jordan Remsza with just seconds remaining in the quarter.

Like the Red Hawks did to open the game, Knox took the initial drive of the second half and marched right down the field for a touchdown, going 68 yards on 16 plays, the last of which was another one-yard plunge by Mortensen. Knox would take its first lead of the game with just over six minutes to play in the third quarter when Luke Oosterbaan found Ilir Emini for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

That's when Ripon's Connor Greenwald took the game into his own hands. The sophomore fullback scored from two yards out to give the Red Hawks the lead with 11 seconds left in the second quarter. He wasn't done there, adding two more touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, both coming from inside the six yard line. Knox added a three-yard touchdown pass from Oosterbaan to Neal Moon with 22 seconds left to play, but the ensuing onsides kick was recovered by the Red Hawks, putting them in the victory formation.

Three Red Hawks finished the game with at least 80 yards rushing. Covalt led the way with 134 yards on 22 carries (6.1 ypc), while Langman finished with 85 yards on eight carries (10.6 ypc) and Kyle Hafemeister gained 80 yards on nine carries (8.9 ypc). Greenwald added 66 yards on the ground, to go along with his three scores. Defensively, Ripon recovered two Knox fumbles, which led to both of Greenwald's fourth quarter touchdowns.

Knox was led by Mortensen, who finished the game with 117 rushing yards. Emini was also a thorn in Ripon's side, catching 11 passes for 153 yards. Oosterbaan finished the game with 213 yards on 17-of-26 passing.

Ripon will now have a much needed bye next week to get rested up for their next game on Saturday, October 19 at Grinnell College. That game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. in Grinnell, Iowa and can be seen live on http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/ripon.portal#.