GRINNELL, Iowa -- The Lawrence University football team couldn't dig out of an early hole Saturday and dropped a 34-16 Midwest Conference decision to Grinnell College at Rosenbloom Field.
    The Pioneers built a 20-7 edge after the first quarter, and Lawrence closed to within 10 points midway through the second. That's as close as the Vikings would get despite having advantages in total yards, first downs and time of possession.
    Lawrence quarterback Aidan Williams went 21-of-34 passing for 255 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Wide receiver Alex Lippert had another big game as he caught nine passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns for the Vikings.
    Pat Thompson carried 17 times for 66 yards for the Vikings, and rookie Jack Delzer added 31 yards on just four carries.
    Defensive lineman Zekhi Mills piled up 15 tackles to pace the Vikings, and Jon Pasquarello added nine stops. Defensive back Kolbe Gelvin recorded eight tackles for Lawrence, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
    Lawrence trailed 7-0, but the Vikings took their opening possession and marched down the field. Lawrence moved 44 yards in eight plays, and Lippert caught a 26-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
    Grinnell countered with another touchdown for a 14-7 lead, and the Pioneers then got a 59-yard scoring pass for a 20-7 lead late in the first quarter. 
    Gelvin then delivered a big play when he jarred the ball loose from Daniel Quirk and returned the fumble 46 yards to the Grinnell nine-yard line. The Vikings had to settle for Ben Blumenthal's 25-yard field goal to trim the lead to 20-10 with 7:16 left in the first half.
    Grinnell quarterback Gray Woodhouse hit on a 38-yard scoring pass to put the Pioneers up 27-10 at the half. Woodhouse went 11-for-19 passing for 170 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 63 yards.
    Grinnell then got a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown to push to push the lead to 34-10 with 10:48 left in the third quarter.
    Lawrence, which outgained the Pioneers 335-329 and posted a 22-13 edge in first downs, had its next two drives stopped in Grinnell territory before finally cashing in. 
    The Vikings moved 95 yards in seven plays and finished the drive with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Lippert with 6:55 remaining. 
    Lawrence, which had the ball for 36:07, hits the road again next Saturday when the Vikings travel to Lake Forest College.