Just when it looked as if the Lawrence University football team was dominating Saturday’s game at Rosenbloom Field, Grinnell College came back with a fury.
The Pioneers dug themselves a 17-point hole before erupting for 31 unanswered points for a 31-17 Midwest Conference victory. The win pushes Grinnell to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the MWC, while Lawrence fell to 1-6 overall and 1-5 in the league.
Mike McCabe ’13 had four touchdown passes for Grinnell, with Robert Seer ’12 (pictured) being on the receiving end of three of those. Logan Granera ’13 had the other touchdown and added a 42-yard field goal.
Seer finished with seven catches for 113 yards and Granera had six grabs for 69 yards. McCabe completed 19-of-34 aerials for 240 yards.
Defensively, Marquis Bradley ’11 had 13 tackles and an interception for Grinnell, while Ryan Fletcher ’11 added eight tackles and Ryan Creps ’12 and Marc Heronemus ’11 seven each.
Lawrence scored on its first two drives to lead 14-0 after one period, and got a field goal early in the second period for a 17-0 lead. Grinnell finally struck with 5:03 left in the second quarter when Seer caught a 27-yard scoring pass from McCabe one play after Bradley intercepted a pass. The extra point was blocked.
The Pioneers closed within 17-9 by halftime when Granera booted a 42-yard field goal. After a scoreless third period, Grinnell tied it at the 14:34 mark of the fourth when Seer caught a 42-yard scoring strike from McCabe and Jason Peters ’14 caught a two-point conversion pass from McCabe.
After holding Lawrence on its next series and benefitting from a 7-yard punt, Grinnell needed just four plays to take the lead for good. McCabe hit Seer with a 9-yard scoring strike at the 11:29 mark and Granera had the point after to put the Pioneers ahead 24-17.
After holding Lawrence again, Grinnell engineered a 13-play, 71-yard scoring drive that included a 12-yard rush by McCabe. The drive was capped when McCabe hit Granera with an 18-yard scoring pass at the 3:06 mark. Granera kicked the point after.
Lawrence drove to Grinnell’s 1-yard line after that before fumbling the ball, which Bradley recovered. The Pioneers ran out the clock from there for the win.
Grinnell heads to De Pere, Wis., next Saturday to face St. Norbert College. Game time is 1 p.m.
