LAKELAND, Wis. (Sept. 10, 2022) - Trailing 31-10 in the third quarter, the Buena Vista football team clawed its way back with a huge fourth quarter, scoring three touchdowns and kicking one field goal, to complete a huge comeback and knock off Lakeland University, 41-34, on Saturday afternoon.

BVU got on the board first with a Ramon Garcia 27-yard field goal late in the first quarter before the Muskies, which used a stellar ground game throughout the afternoon, scored on touchdown runs of 36 and 54 yards in the second quarter to take a 13-3 lead into the half.  Another long TD run of 75 yards on the first play of the second half extended the lead for Lakeland to 20-3.

Eman Alaniz broke off a 37-yard touchdown run for BVU just four plays later that pulled BVU within 20-10. 

Jatron Bevly, who rushed for 343 yards and five touchdowns for Lakeland in the contest, added touchdown runs of 47 and 70 yards to give the Muskies their largest lead of the day at 34-10.

From there, however, it was nearly all Buena Vista, as the Beavers scored four touchdowns over a 10-minute span. Sophomore quarterback Zach Herrera found Andre Booker for a six-yard score that brought BVU within 34-17 heading to the fourth. That's when Herrera connected with Alaniz on a 31-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the final frame, and after a 63-yard punt from Lakeland, BVU responded right back with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Herrera to Andre Booker that made it 34-31 with 9:03 left to play. 

The BVU defense then came through in the clutch on the first play of the ensuing Lakeland possession as Trey Ortman intercepted his first pass of the year deep in Muskies territory, and the Beavers took over at the 16-yard line. On 3rd-and-10, Herrera connected with Dylan Laughlin for his fourth TD pass of the contest and give BVU its first lead since the first quarter.

The Muskies would turn it over on downs which would set-up a Garcia 28-yard field goal with 3:44 left in regulation. Lakeland had one final chance, but on 4th-and-16 at the BVU 41, its pass was nearly intercepted by Brady McConaty and fell incomplete as BVU went into victory formation from there.

The Muskies rushed for 395 yards, but the Beaver defense made the plays when they counted most down the stretch.

"Defensively we didn't play well against the run, and in particular one scheme," says BVU head coach Grant Mollring. "We were able to slow them down in the 4th quarter which led to an incredible comeback."

Alaniz rushed for a career-high 128 yards and 37 carries for the Beavers, who rushed for 130 yards overall as a team. He also had 45 yards receiving and one score. Herrera finished 21-of-47 for 363 yards and four touchdowns, but was intercepted three times. Booker hauled in five catches for 128 yards and two scores while Kendrick Banks caught seven passes for 100 yards.

"Offensively it was a struggle to play consistently in the first half, and we were hurt by mental mistakes and penalties," adds Mollring. "We were able to stay the course and make enough plays in the second half to come out with a victory."

On the defensive side, Brandon Lance led the way with 12 tackles and one forced fumble, Cory Kitt had six stops and one sack, while Ortman had four tackles and the team's lone interception. Matthew Beisswenger averaged just over 40 yards on six punt attempts, including a career-best 52-yard boot.  Three of his six punts were placed inside the 20-yard line.

"We had some outstanding performances today from Eman Alaniz, Matthew Beisswenger, Brandon Lance, and Trey Ortman," says Mollring. "It is great to get a win this far from home and be able to enjoy the trip home."

Buena Vista improves to 1-1 overall. The Beavers will look to carry the momentum into next Saturday's American Rivers Conference opener when they host Coe College (1-1) at 6:00 p.m. inside of J. Leslie Rollins Stadium.