MEQUON, Wis. – Saturday marked another exciting chapter of the storied Cheese Bowl series. The Falcons won the 33rd battle for the Cheese Bowl with a 37-34 victory to improve to 5-2 on the year and 4-2 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.
The Falcons marched down the field on the opening drive and freshman Caleb Espinoza (Pasadena, Texas) scored on a two-yard rush.
CUW added to the lead on the next drive with a 42-yard field goal from sophomore Logan Navis (Cedar Grove, Wis.).
The Fish fought back and scored on the very next drive, but missed the kick.
The Falcons held onto a 10-6 lead heading into the second quarter.
Three plays into the second quarter, freshman Justin Clark connected with junior Mason Knueppel (Jackson, Wis.) at the 32-yard line and sprinted into the endzone for a 49-yard touchdown.
Later in the quarter, Lakeland scored a defensive touchdown.
The Muskies added another touchdown in the quarter and took a 20-17 lead into the half.
The Blue and Gold scored on the opening drive of the third quarter and built a 27-17 lead.
The Falcons made a methodical drive and capped off the 10-play drive with a 12-yard rush for sophomore Jacob Pugh (Atlanta, Ga.).
Lakeland added to the lead with a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Birds wasted no time and scored a touchdown of their own five plays later on a 28-yard rush from freshman Kam'Ron Pierre (Canyon Country, Calif.).
With 4:07 left, Logan Navis tied the game with a 25-yard field goal.
The Muskies tested their luck and tried to convert on a fourth down and one opportunity, but senior Zac Ballard (Paramount, Calif.) and sophomore Duncan Ireland III (Eagle, Wis.) stopped them short.
CUW had a minute left with the ball and Logan Navis became the hero with a 54-yard field goal as time expired. The field goal is the longest in program history by three yards.
Justin Clark threw for 125 yards and a touchdown.
Caleb Espinoza had 136 yards on the ground and Jacob Pugh added 103 yards.
Senior Justice Kaneta (Brighton, Colo.) had 10 tackles to lead the contest.
This is the first three-game win streak over Lakeland since 2011-2013.
The Falcons close the home portion of the schedule on Saturday against Concordia Chicago.
