(ST NORBERT COMMUNICATIONS) WAUWATOSA – St. Norbert College ended its season on a high note, defeating Monmouth College 20-14 in the 2024 Cousins Subs Lakefront Bowl at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s Raabe Stadium.
The Green Knights (8-3) scored two touchdowns in the first half and posted a shoutout in the second half to win in a rematch of the same bowl game last season, avenging a tough 21-14 loss to the Fighting Scots. It marked the first bowl win in St. Norbert history, with the Green Knights ending the year on an eight-game winning streak after an 0-3 start.
The Green Knights were able to score on their first possession after forcing a Monmouth three-and-out and a long punt return from Paul Bageanis, with Peyton Lyon connecting with Bageanis for an 11-yard touchdown with 10:34 left in the first quarter.
Brett Boelkow made his sixth interception of the season on the next Fighting Scots’ drive, but the Green Knights were unable to convert on the opportunity as it would end in a missed field goal. Monmouth would then take an 11-play drive down the length of the field to tie the game at 7-7 with 26 seconds left in the opening period.
Nate Lee forced a second Monmouth turnover in the second quarter, which led to Patrick Oden finding the endzone with a 12-yard run with 12:21 left before halftime. Mason Levake would connect on a 36-yard field goal to extend the lead to 17-7 with 5:51 left in the quarter.
Monmouth would find its way back into the game after returning a fumbled punt for a 49-yard touchdown with 3:39 left in the quarter, as St. Norbert took a 17-14 lead at the half.
Out of the half, Lyon connected with Mitch Van Vooren for a 40-yard bomb, but both St. Norbert and Monmouth were unable to find much ground in the third quarter as the Green Knights nursed their three-point lead.
Levake extended the St. Norbert lead in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 29-yard attempt to put St. Norbert up 20-14 with 10:39 to go.
Monmouth had a last-ditch rally to try and steal the win, driving into the St. Norbert red zone on a 12-play drive, but the Green Knights were able to hold on and stop a pass to the endzone on fourth-and-goal from the 11 with 43 seconds left..
St. Norbert was outgained 275-250 in total yardage. Patrick Oden finished the game with 144 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.
Peyton Lyon threw for 105 yards and one touchdown, while Mitch Van Vooren led St. Norbert in receiving yards with 59 yards on three catches.
Kyle Santos, who was named the Lakefront Bowl’s Most Valuable Player, recorded 15 tackles, 11 of which were solo stops. The linebacker also added one sack. Sam Barnett made 12 stops, while Marc Thomas broke up four passes.
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