APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University football team had a tough start to the season Saturday as defending Midwest Conference champion Lake Forest College downed the Vikings 55-0 on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.
    The Foresters, who were just out of this week's D3football.com Top 25, used a stifling defense and a strong running game to pull away early.
    Lawrence quarterback Jack Sweeney was held to 10-of-19 passing for 40 yards. Logan Olson grabbed three passes for 20 yards to pace the Vikings. The Vikings were limited to just 18 total yards.
    Linebacker KJ Sweeney led the Lawrence defense with eight tackles, and Donzell Andress had seven stops for the Vikings (0-1, 0-1). Sheldon Garmon had six stops from his cornerback position, including one tackle for loss, and added a pass breakup.
    Armani Brown ran 12 times for 86 yards and two touchdowns for the Foresters (2-0, 1-0). Quarterback Tre Stewart was 10-for-18 for 120 yards. 
    Special teams also played a role as Lake Forest's Jimmy Lonigro blocked a pair of punts. The Foresters converted the first block into a field goal, but Lonigro blocked the second punt at the Lawrence 10-yard line and returned it for a touchdown.
    Lake Forest scored 21 second-quarter points to pull out to a 31-0 lead at the half. The Foresters added a pair of touchdowns in the first six minutes of the third quarter to seal the victory.
    Lawrence is back at home next Saturday when the Vikings host Grinnell College.