CEDAR RAPIDS — Controlling the ground game and the time of possession, Coe College ran past the Central College football team 31-13 Saturday.
The Kohawks (3-2, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) rushed for 331 yards against the Dutch (2-3, 0-2 A-R-C). After possessing the ball for nine minutes and 30 seconds in the first quarter, Central had just 14:28 the rest of the way. Coe controlled the clock for more than 21 minutes in the second half.
"We've got to get off the field," coach
Jeff McMartin said. "They have a talented running back and an experienced offensive line. We knew they wanted to run the football and we knew we had to get stops."
Central had 167 rushing yards of its own, led by 116 from running back
Jase Grunder (senior, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS). Grunder had the first touchdown of the day for the Dutch, scampering in from 21 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter.
"Jase ran the ball well," McMartin said. "Our offensive line had some really good moments. We need to continue to build on those things."
The passing game for Central was limited to 9 completions on 22 attempts for 131 yards.
Cody Klein (junior, Newton) had an 84-yard catch and run in the fourth quarter to supply most of those yards. Wide receiver
Tyler Fiala (senior, Kansas City, Mo., Blue Springs HS) added three grabs for 28 yards. Quarterback
Brett Connolly (sophomore, Plainfield, Ill., Oswego HS) was 8-18-0 for 128 yards.
"We've got to continue to grow our passing game in ways we can get the ball in the hands of some of our playmakers," McMartin said. "At that point, Coe was hunkered down to stop the run and Cody ran right by the defense."
Safety
Peyton Ritzert (senior, safety, Pella, Pella Christian HS) led the Dutch with 12 total tackles. Linebacker
Brecken Ritzert (freshman, linebacker, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had 11 tackles, including two solo tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble that set up the Grunder touchdown run. Linebacker
Brody Morrison (senior, Earlham) had seven tackles and a forced fumble.
McMartin cited punter
Broderick Lee (junior, Mason City) as a high point of the game, averaging 46.7 yards per attempt with a long of 56 yards.
"He punted into the wind a lot and still had a great average," McMartin said. "He kept his trajectory down punting into the wind and with the wind he could really boom them."
Central plays at Nebraska Wesleyan University at 1 p.m. Saturday.
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