PELLA, Iowa - The Coe College football team improved to 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, defeating Central College 19-11 on the road in the team's first American Rivers Conference matchup of 2023. The Kohawks jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter and early portion of the second but a lightning delay forced a pause in the game with a little less than seven minutes to play in the half. Central had a strong response after the break, scoring the game's next 11 points before the half to grab its first lead of the game. The Kohawks scored nine points in the third quarter, getting a touchdown drive to regain the lead with 6:58 in the quarter before a 24-yard field goal with 2:57 remaining. Both teams traded scoring chances in the final quarter of action but sloppy play from both teams kept either from scoring. Central had one final chance with just over 2:30 left in the game but
Ben Ridenour clinched the game with an interception of the Dutch with 1:12 left to play.
COE 19 - CENTRAL 11
GAME FACTS
- The Kohawks started hot, scoring on their second drive of the game to open the scoring. Coe's defense forced a three and out on the second Dutch possession, giving their offense the ball at Central's 48. Carter Maske put the first points on the board connecting with Amel Saric for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 7-0.
- The squads traded empty possessions on their next few chances of the first quarter but Coe ended the first period in the middle of a solid drive. The march continued to start the second for the Kohawks, driving all the way into Dutch territory before settling for a 21-yard field goal from Julian Garcia Ayala.
- The hosts got on the board later in the second quarter, getting two points on a safety as Coe snapped the ball through its own endzone on a fourth down punt attempt. Central took advantage of the ensuing free possession after the safety, putting together a long scoring drive that took nine plays and went 56 yards. The Dutch scored one final time before the end of the first half, kicking a 20-yard field goal with less than 20 seconds to play.
- Both teams were scoreless on their opening possessions of the third quarter but Coe put the first points of the half on the board with a big play from Caden Mata to Zamari Bruce. Mata led the entire Coe drive from its 21 and capped it off with a 37-yard strike to Bruce who caught his third touchdown of the year.
- Coe got the final points of the game later in the third, bouncing back from a block field goal on its previous possession. One play after the special teams miscue Coe got the ball back as Darrius Saunders secured the second pick of the day for the defense inside the red zone. Coe struggled to move the ball despite great field position but ultimately settled for a 24-yard kick from Garcia Ayala as Coe took an eight-point lead.
- Central threatened at the onset of the fourth quarter, taking a drive into Coe's red zone but again the defense stood tall, getting a pick from LaDainian Linnear who nearly took it back to the house. Both teams traded scoring chances over the next few possessions but neither were able to capitalize, turning the ball over either on downs or via a turnover. Coe put the game on Ice with less than 1:30 left in the game with Ridenour picking off a Central pass at the Dutch 33.
Up next: Coe is back at home next weekend, hosting Nebraska Wesleyan on Saturday, September 23 on homecoming Saturday at 1 PM.
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