Notre Dame used its stingy defense and took advantage of some costly LaGrange Gators turnovers in taking a 13-6 victory Friday night.
The Gators controlled the offensive side of the ball the entire first half but were unable to put any points on the board. LaGrange’s drive stalled with 2:19 to play in the first quarter on the Pioneers 21-yard line when Colton Frank’s pass was intercepted by Jordan Owens.
LaGrange (0-1) had a chance to score a couple of times early in the second quarter. A fumbled snap on the snap turned the ball over to Notre Dame with 9:45 to play in the second quarter. LaGrange then gained field position on a blocked punt to the Notre Dame 9-yard line.
LaGrange had four chances to get in the end zone but was unable to score. A blocked field goal attempt by Notre Dame stopped any chance of LaGrange scoring. The LaGrange defense held Notre Dame to no first downs in the first half and six in the game.
“Hats off to Coach (Lewis) Cook and his team as he is a mentor to me,” said LaGrange Coach Jules Sullen. “We knew going into this game they were going to be a physical opponent. Defensively we played very well and for us to not to give up a first down in the first half that speaks volumes for us.”
The Pioneers were able to get on the scoreboard late in the second quarter after a bad snap by the Gators. After the bad snap and a penalty, the ball was put on the Gators 11-yard line. The Pioneers converted three plays later when Steven Zaunbrecher scored on a 7-yard run to take a 6-0 lead with 1:14 to play in the second quarter.
Notre Dame (1-0) opened the third quarter with the ball and wasted little driving the ball down the field. Zaunbrecher scored his second touchdown on a 35-yard run to give Notre Dame a 13-0 lead with 5:43 to play in the third quarter.
The Gators offense never got going in the second half, but they weren’t going to be stopped as they gained field position late in the game on a blocked punt by Matthew Cormier. The next play Frank scored on a 30-yard run for the Gators’ lone score.
Notre Dame finished with 179 yards of total offense. Zaunbrecher led the way on the ground with 15 carries for 69 yards and finished with both touchdowns for Notre Dame.
LaGrange finished with 154 yards of offense with 139 coming from the passing game. Frank went 20-for-29 passing and rushed for 15 yards.
“Colton (Frank) is a very good guy and did an outstanding job for us tonight,” Sullen said. “He made a few mistakes that were costly here and there but was able to rebound and come back on the last drive and score.”
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