DE PERE, Wis. - Ripon held their own for the first quarter and a half of Saturday's game against defending Midwest Conference champion St. Norbert College, leading 7-0 mid-way through the second quarter. That lead wouldn't last much longer though, as St. Norbert scored 34 points off seven Ripon turnovers to defeat the Red Hawks by a score of 48-7.

After a scoreless first quarter, Ripon (1-7, 1-5 MWC) took the game's first lead on the first play of the second quarter, a 16-yard touchdown run by quarterback Samuel Shroyer, which capped a four-play, 56-yard drive. St. Norbert (5-2, 5-0 MWC) would tie things up with six minutes left in the half on a 32-yard touchdown pass from J.T. Crosby to Samuel Staehling. Seventeen seconds later, the Green Knights were in the end zone again, returning a fumble 29 yards for a score. Staehling would add a four-yard TD reception from Crosby just before halftime on a drive that was set up by an Interception.

St. Norbert returned another fumble for a touchdown early in the third quarter, while Brad Boockmeier also caught a four-yard score from Crosby in the period to give SNC a 34-7 advantage. The Green Knights scored two more touchdowns in the final quarter, both of which were set up by Ripon turnovers. Brett Olson and Drew Rhodes finished off the respective drives with 10 and 13-yard TD receptions.

Ripon was out-gained in total offense by just 92 yards. They out-gained St. Norbert on the ground by a 166-154 margin. Shroyer led the Red Hawks with 60 yards on 18 carries. Austin Bunders added 36 yards on just four totes, while Cody Chase added 30 rushing yards. Ripon's longest play from scrimmage was a 35-yard reception by Cameron Mignone.

Crosby completed 14-of-21 passes for St. Norbert, throwing for 136 yards and four touchdowns. Crosby also led the team with 45 yards rushing, while Staehling caught eight passes for 100 yards and two scores.

The Red Hawks will take next weekend off, as it is their bye week, before getting back on the field November 5 at Cornell College.