#17 Tartans Drop 38-14 Decision #9 UW-La Crosse

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team, ranked 17th nationally, welcomed ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin La Crosse to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon. In a battle of top 25 programs, the Eagles left with a 38-14 victory.

Game Information
#17 Carnegie Mellon 14, #9 UW-La Crosse 38
Records: Carnegie Mellon (1-1), UW-La Crosse (1-0)
Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Richard M. Lackner Field at Gesling Stadium)

How it Happened

• UW-La Crosse struck first when Kyle Haas found Gabe Lynch for 6-yard touchdown strike at 9:37 of the first quarter to make the score 7-0
• With 4:29 to play in the first half, Carnegie Mellon knotted the score at 7-all when senior quarterback Joey McGinnis IV connected with junior Brendan McCullough on a 75-yard catch-and-run.
• The Eagles added to the scoreboard with 29 second left in the second quarter, as they answered with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in an 11-yard Lynch touchdown run.
• On UW-La Crosse's first possession of the second half, a 12-play, 72-yard drive ended with a 34-yard field from Maddox Pratt.
• On the ensuing Tartan possession, a 41-yard pick six by Sam Baumgard gave the visitors a 24-7 lead midway through the third quarter.
• The lead grew to 31-7 early in the fourth quarter when Haas connected with Jack Janke on a 37-yard strike.
• McCullough's second touchdown of the afternoon with eight minutes to play put the score at 31-14. This time a 34-yard score came from sophomore quarterback Jackson Salters,
• UWL struck one last time before the end of the game when Haas tossed his third touchdown pass, as he found Keaton Arendt on a 6-yard pass to close the scoring at 38-14.

Stats

• The Tartans were outgained 445-317 yards while the Eagles passed for 272 yards to the Tartans 290.
• UWL forced four turnovers that led to 21 points.
• McCullough recorded a career-high 199 yards receiving on seven catches and two touchdowns.
• McGinnis ended with 245 yards passing, a touchdown and two interceptions on 15-of-28. Slaters completed 4-of-6 for 45 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
• Junior Ethan Ming recorded a career-high 13 tackles, six solo, senior Jacob Franze tied a career-high with 11 tackles and sophomore Jack Lawson tabbed a career-high 11 in the setback.
• The Eagles were led by Haas' 272 yards passing and three touchdowns. Janke led the receivers with 107 yards on seven receptions and a touchdown.

Game Notes

• This was the first meeting between the two institutions on the gridiron.
• The Tartans home winning streak in was snapped at 24 games and was the second longest in Division III and fourth longest among FBS, FCS, DII and DIII institutions.
• The Tartans are 8-18 all-time against ranked opponents since D3football.com started a Top 25 poll in 2003.

Up Next

• Carnegie Mellon will entertain Berry College on Saturday, September 20 with a 12:00 p.m. kick at Richard M. Lackner Field.