The Lakeland College Muskies football team looked to rebound this weekend when they took on Aurora University on Sat. Oct 27. The Muskies went into the game with an overall record of 2-5.

The Muskies struggled to get started on both sides of the ball. The defense gave up 709 yards of total offense. The Muskies were unable to get any offense going and turned the ball over 3 times in the first half. The Muskies’ only score of the first half came from a field goal made by Will Yelverton.

Aurora went into the second half ahead of the Muskies with the score at 21-3, but Lakeland was able to start the second half strong as they took the opening kickoff and drove the ball 67 yards to the end zone. Quarterback Dylan Van Straten was able to get in the end zone with a keeper play and put the Muskies back in the game.

The Muskies defense looked to come out stronger than in the first half as they halted Aurora’s first drive of the second half, but the momentum was short lived when Aurora scored five straight touchdowns on five straight drives to go up 56-10.

Lakeland was able to answer one more time when Norman Grinstead was able to return a kickoff 75 yards, achieving his first kickoff return for a touchdown of the season and making the score 56-17.

The Muskies offensive standouts were Van Straten, who rushed for 92 yards on 20 carries and completed 8-16 passes for 124 yards, and Chris Jaskulski, who had eight catches for 82 yards. Lakeland had 20 first downs in the game as a team. The Muskie defensive standouts of the game were Cody Lemke, who had twelve tackles, and Yaphay Harvey with eleven tackles.

The 56-17 loss put Lakeland College to a total record of 2-6 and 3-2 in conference play. The Muskies will look to rebound next week on Nov. 3 when they take on the undefeated Concordia University Chicago. Concordia is the NAC leader. The game will be at 12 p.m. in River Forrest, IL.