GALESBURG, Ill. -- The Lawrence University football team again came up just short in its quest for its first victory of the season, dropping a 28-25 Midwest Conference decision at Knox College on Saturday.
The Vikings trailed all day before rallying late to cut the lead to three points, but Knox was able to hold the ball for the final six-plus minutes to seal the victory.
Craig Ebert put together his second consecutive 100-plus yard rushing game with 21 carries for 108 yards for Lawrence (0-6, 0-6 MWC). Quarterback Nick Maxam hit on 11 of 20 passes for 180 yards and three touchdowns, and Derek Micke cuaght a team-best five passes for 71 yards.
Knox (2-5, 1-5) did its damage on the ground, as the Prairie Fire ran 64 times for 377 yards. Bill Meyer led the attack with 21 carries for 139 yards.
Mike Kizior's 55-yard run to the Lawrence 7-yard line set up Knox's first touchdown early in the second quarter. The Vikings cut the lead to 7-6 on Maxam's 32-yard scoring pass to Ebert with 10:39 left in the first half.
The Prairie Fire came back on its next possession and moved 58 yards in eight plays to take a 14-6 lead. Kizior ran the final eight yards for the score. Knox took a 21-6 lead when Meyer hit Evan Massey with a 35-yard scoring pass with 1:36 left in the second quarter.
The Vikings executed the two-minute drill and came up with a touchdown with just 31 seconds left in the opening half. Maxam hit 5 of 5 passes on the drive and found Matt Hintz on a 10-yard touchdown pass to trim the lead to 21-12. The Vikings failed on a two-point conversion try.
Lawrence set up its next touchdown with three big rushing plays, and Zack Hintz then ran seven yards for the score to cut the lead to 21-19 with 2:50 left in the third quarter.
Lawrence failed on a fake punt early in the fourth quarter, and Knox took over at the Lawrence 25. The Prairie Fire scored five plays later on Grant Guimond's one-yard run to lead 28-19.
The Vikings took the ensuing kickoff and moved right back down the field. Micke caught a 38-yard pass for a first down at the Knox 39. After a 23-yard pass to Jon Bruehl, Maxam hit Matt Hintz with a 19-yard scoring pass to cut the lead to 28-25 with 6:30 left.
Knox then held the ball for the the next 6:19 to seal the win.
Lawrence returns to action next Saturday when it hosts Beloit College.