The Beloit College football team fell to St. Norbert College, the Midwest Conference leader with an unblemished 5-0 mark in league play, 60-0 at Strong Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Prior to the start of the game, the Buccaneer football program recognized the team's seniors including quarterbacks Marcos Camacho and Erick Mitchell, runningback Joey Werner, wide receivers Abe Quijas and Ethan Conley, linebacker Tyree Smith, kicker Andy Berlin, defensive lineman MJ Strawbridge and offensive lineman Jake Karlicek.
The highlight of the game came from sophomore defensive back Pat Nicolas who recorded 26 tackles including 19 solo and seven assisted in the contest. The San Antonio, Texas native was one shy of the Beloit College record for tackles in a game which he set earlier this season against Ripon College.
The high-powered Green Knight offenses got going right out of the gate with a little help from the SNC defense. On the second play of the game, the Green Knights forced and recovered a fumble by the Buccaneer back to take over at the Beloit 29. On their first offensive play, Green Knight quarterback Drew Rhodes found Samuel Staehlin who beat the defense for an early touchdown.
SNC scored on their next possession to take a 14-0 lead and found the endzone nearing the end of the quarter to take a 20-0 lead after one period of play.
The Green Knights added nine points in the second quarter, two courtesy of a blocked punt that went out of the back of the endzone for a safety. SNC scored on their first five drives of the second half to widen the gap to 60-0, the eventual final score.
Werner carried the ball 34 times for 101 yards in the game. Mitchell was 6-for-23 for 62 yards through the air and an interception. His targets included Kentreyal Carraway, Juan Reyes and Werner, each recorded two catches in the game.
Defensively, Nicolas' 26 tackles led all players and marked his third game this season with 20 or more tackles. Josh Shapiro added a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss of 11 yards combined.
The Buccaneers will take on the 0-5 Grinnell College Pioneers in the final game of the season. Beloit will host the game Saturday, November 10 with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. St. Norbert advanced to the MWC Championship game as the top seed from the North Division. The Green Knights will face Monmouth, 5-0, the top seed in the south division Saturday.
