MORRIS, Minn. -- The Lawrence University football team saw the University of Minnesota-Morris use a big second half Saturday to pull away for a 49-19 nonconference victory at Big Cat Stadium.
    The Vikings led early and trailed by just nine at the half, but Morris scored 21 unanswered points after the break.
    Lawrence quarterback Jack Sweeney went 10-for-23 passing for 98 yards and his first career touchdown pass. Sweeney also ran 18 times for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
    Pat Thompson added 44 yards rushing on 13 carries for the Vikings. Logan Olson grabbed a touchdown pass for Lawrence and finished with five catches for 46 yards. Rookie Jackson Barbour had four catches for 45 yards for the Vikings.
    Lawrence (0-3) took the opening drive and marched down the field. Lawrence was set up by Sheldon Garmon's 32-yard kickoff return and took over at its own 46-yard line. 
    The Vikings got a 22-yard hookup from Sweeney to Barbour to get things rolling. The Vikings had moved to the Morris 14 but faced third-and-eight. Sweeney hit Olson over the middle for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
    Morris (1-3) hit on a 50-yard run play to tie the game, but Lawrence scored again on its next possession.
    Jaxson Howley ripped off a 15-yard run to move into Morris territory at the 37. After Thompson and Sweeney both ripped off substantial runs, the Vikings stalled. Facing third-and-14, Sweeney took off up the middle and raced 16 yards for a touchdown and a 13-7 lead.
    A 30-yard pass play gave the Cougars another score and a 14-13 lead before Morris pushed the lead to 21-13 with the help of a 32-yard scoring pass.
    Lawrence cut into the lead with the help of a short 22-yard punt that gave the Vikings the ball at the Morris 43-yard line.
    Sweeney started the drive with a 13-yard run and a pair of penalties, pass interference and targeting, on the Cougars moved the ball to the two-yard line. Sweeney ran it in on the next play to cut the margin to 21-19.
    Morris tacked on another score before the half and led 28-19 at the break. 
    The Vikings made a goal-line stand in the third quarter, but a fumble on Lawrence's first play after that gave the ball right back. Morris scored on the next play and added another touchdown in the third quarter. The Cougars got a touchdown in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
    Rookie linebacker KJ Sweeney led the Lawrence defense as he made a season-best 12 tackles. Jon Pasquarello added 10 tackles for the Vikings, and Carter Rivers had nine stops, including a sack, and a forced fumble.
    Lawrence is back on the road next Saturday when it travels to Monmouth College.