Lawrence offense stalls in loss to Grinnell

APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University offense had trouble getting going on Saturday against Grinnell College, and the Pioneers went on to a 29-7 nonconference victory at the Banta Bowl.

Grinnell (1-3) limited Lawrence (1-3) to 181 yards of total offense, including 45 in the first half.

Sam Poulos tossed a pair of touchdown passes for the Pioneers, and Jacob Bernholtz ran 22 times for 102 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence quarterback Chance Byrd, who was forced into action after starter Tanner Schuh was hurt on the game’s first drive, was 9-for-27 for 142 yards and a touchdown, but he threw four interceptions.

Grinnell got on the board late in the first quarter when the Pioneers moved 59 yards in 10 plays for the game’s first touchdown. Jacob Meixler caught a 16-yard scoring pass from Poulos for a 7-0 lead. Meixler finished with six catches for 78 yards and two scores.

Linebacker David Ternes made 9-0 Grinnell when he tackled Bryd in the end zone with just 45 seconds left in the first quarter.

Graham Fisher then booted a 36-yard field goal for the Pioneers, and Bernholtz’s one-yard touchdown plunge capped an 87-yard drive late in the first half to put the Pioneers up 19-0. Grinnell added a 27-yard Fisher field goal, and Meixler caught a 20-yard scoring pass in the third quarter for a 29-0 edge.

Lawrence finally got on the board with the help of a turnover. Grinnell’s other quarterback, Harrison Hoegh was intercepted by Brandon Taylor at the Grinnell 31-yard line late in the third quarter. Byrd hit Cole Erickson, who made a beautiful catch on the play, on the next play from scrimmage for the touchdown.

Erickson finished with two catches for 45 yards.

Lawrence returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Beloit College in the Hall of Fame Game in the Banta Bowl.

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