APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University football team grabbed a halftime lead Saturday at Banta Bowl, but Buena Vista University controlled the second half to rally for a 26-14 victory over the Vikings.
Buena Vista struck first on a 35-yard touchdown pass with 8:37 remaining in the opening quarter, but Lawrence needed less than a minute to respond.
Quarterback Boris Christensen connected with Ethan Holland for a 74-yard touchdown at the 7:34 mark, finishing a three-play, 76-yard drive in just 55 seconds and pulling the Vikings even at 7-7.
The Beavers regained the lead later in the quarter on a one-yard touchdown run, but Lawrence came back again in the second.
After the Vikings defense recovered a Buena Vista fumble, Lawrence took over at its own 33-yard line and marched 67 yards in seven plays. Chancellor Reddick finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown run, and Lennon Frazier's extra point gave the Vikings a 14-13 advantage with 6:36 remaining before halftime.
Lawrence took that one-point advantage into the locker room after outscoring Buena Vista 7-0 in the second quarter.
The momentum shifted after the break. Buena Vista opened the third quarter with an 11-play, 50-yard scoring drive, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Adriel Fussell that put the Beavers back in front 20-14.
Lawrence's defense created another opportunity later in the third when Jakobe Blackwood intercepted Brett Garcia and returned the ball 13 yards. The Vikings took over near midfield but were unable to turn the takeaway into points. Blackwood finished the afternoon with four tackles in addition to the interception.
Buena Vista was able to extend the margin in the fourth quarter. Aaron Christian connected on field goals from 21 and 19 yards to account for the only scoring of the final period and produce the 26-14 final.
Holland was the centerpiece of the Lawrence passing attack, finishing with five receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by his 74-yard score. Christensen completed 11 of 23 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown without an interception. Raenaldo Farrington Jr. led the Vikings on the ground with 23 yards on seven carries.
Defensively, Jaden Johnson led Lawrence with 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss. Gabe Arnold finished with eight stops, while Brady Dilworth and Payne Wallace recorded seven apiece. Wallace also forced a fumble, and Nicholas Aragon, Dyson Sharpton and Tyler Hoerz each recorded tackles for loss.
The Vikings forced two Buena Vista turnovers on the afternoon, recovering a fumble and getting Blackwood's interception.
