GALESBURG, Ill. — Lawrence University quarterback Luke Barthelmess had a record-setting day throwing the football on Saturday to lead the Vikings to a 62-42 victory over Knox College in the Midwest Conference opener at the Knosher Bowl.
Barthelmess was 28 of 39 for 549 yards and six touchdowns to pace the Vikings (1-1, 1-0 MWC). Barthelmess broke the MWC single-game passing record of 532 yards, set by Knox’s Bob Monroe in 1986. He shattered the Lawrence record of 466, set by Lawrence Hall of Famer Bill McNamara vs. Coe College in 1986. The six touchdown passes breaks the Lawrence record of five, set by Eric Aspenson vs. Knox in 2007.
Barthelmess’ favorite target on the afternoon was Tyler Mazur, who caught eight passes for 220 yards and four touchdowns. Mazur’s four TD catches ties the Lawrence record set by Zach Michael vs. St. Norbert College in 2003. Jon Bruehl added four catches for 109 yards, and Taylor Mandich had seven catches for 92 yards.
The 62 points is the third-highest point total by the Vikings in the modern era of Lawrence football. The record is 67, which was set vs. Knox (0-2, 0-1) in 1981. The Vikings scored 64 against Cornell College in 1953 and hit 62 vs. Ripon College in 1953 and vs. the University of Chicago in 1977.
Lawrence kicker Cody Robel also tied the record for PATs with eight. The mark was set by Kraig Krueger vs. Knox in 1981.
Lawrence piled up 656 yards of offense, including 573 through the air.
The Vikings trailed 14-13 after the teams traded first-quarter touchdowns, but Lawrence started to take control in the second quarter. Mazur caught a 92-yard touchdown pass just 19 seconds into the second quarter to give Lawrence a 20-14 edge. Mandich then capped a nine-play, 90-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown catch with 9:49 left in the first half. Bruehl then made it 34-14 with 5:13 left in the opening half with a 30-yard touchdown catch.
The Vikings led 34-21 at the half and scored the first two touchdowns of the second half. Mazur had a 14-yard touchdown catch and three-yard TD run to give Lawrence a 48-21 lead with 5:23 left in the third quarter.
The teams then traded touchdowns the rest of the way, with Mazur grabbing a 72-yard touchdown catch and Barthelmess running 20 yards for a score.
The Lawrence defense picked up three interceptions on day as Robbie Ulloa, Mats Jonsson and Shawn Martin all recorded picks. Defensive end Nick Randall had a team-high nine tackles for the Vikings.