ST. PAUL – After a hardscrabble defensive slugfest for three quarters, the visiting University of Mary was unable to contain the Concordia-St. Paul offense in the final stanza of a 17-0 loss. After kicking a field goal on the opening drive of the game, the Golden Bears scored the only two touchdowns of the game in the fourth quarter of the season opener for both teams.
 
Twice the Marauders reached the red zone but were unable to capitalize. UMary generated 208 yards of total offense in the game, including 145 yards on the ground. CSP ran for 222 yards and posted 338 yards of total offense.
 
Down 3-0 after a 43-yard field goal by CSP to open the game, UMary drove to the Golden Bears 19 yard line on its third possession with the aid of a defensive facemask penalty. The Marauders scoring opportunity went by the wayside when a 36-yard field goal attempt fell short.
 
With neither team able to generate an attack, the Marauders next opportunity to post points came midway through the third quarter. Taking over at its own 40 yard line and keyed by a 20 yard pass from Ben Jolliffe to Zack Graves, UMary drove to the CSP 20 yard. Facing a 4^th-and-1, Jolliffe was held just short of the first down marker and the Marauders turned the ball over on downs with 6:55 left in the third.
 
On its first possession of the fourth quarter, Darius Chapes took the game over for the Golden Bears. Starting on their own 20 yard line, Chapes caught two passes for 35 yards and ran for 19. He capped the 80 yard drive with a 1 yard scoring plunge to extend the CSP lead to 10-0.
 
Needing to put points on the board, back to back runs of 11 yards by brothers Zack Graves and Connor Graves, the Marauders drove to the CSP 32 before a series of miscues ended the scoring threat. Facing a 3^rd-and-9, the Marauders committed back-to-back infractions before Jolliffe was sacked to force a 4^th-and-28. An incomplete pass on the next play ended the drive.
 
The Golden Bears then sealed the game on a 2-yard touchdown run by Ron Johnson with 1:22 left in the game.
 
Brody Peterson led the Marauders defensive efforts with 1.5 sacks. The sophomore defensive lineman had five total tackles. Austin Bolton had a team-high 10 tackles and also broke up a pass.
 
Jolliffe ran for 50 yards and completed 9-of-13 passes for 63 yards. He was sacked four times.
 
Zack Graves added 40 yards rushing and added a 20 yard pass reception. Zach Podoll chipped in 38 yards rushing.
 
Chapes led all players with 113 yards rushing for the Golden Bears. Ron Johnson ran for 50 yards and passed for 116. He was sacked twice. Defensively Kelly Pierce posted two sacks for CSP.
 
The Marauders return home to host Augustana on Saturday, Sept. 10. Game time is 1 pm.
 
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