Oles upend league-leading Cobbers 28-25

Mike Ludwig
November 1, 2008

MOORHEAD, Minn. - The St. Olaf defense forced five turnovers while John Haberman threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the visiting Oles to a 28-25 football win over Concordia College on Saturday afternoon.

Haberman finished the day 16-for-33 for 187 yards and an interception through the air, while rushing for 15 yards.

Haberman completed his touchdown passes to Leon Clark and Antonio Jennings, each in the second half. Clark also had a key 25-yard catch on a 3rd-and-long that set up Haberman's second rushing score.

The Cobbers, who led the league at 4-1 prior to the loss, outgained the Oles 380-282 but fumbled three times and had two passes intercepted.

Concordia quarterback Jesse Nelson rushed for 80 yards and was 16-for-28 for 183 yards and a touchdown.

Nelson's touchdown pass, to Jake Krause, gave the Cobbers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

St. Olaf then tied the game on a two-yard run by Haberman with 14 seconds left in the first half.

The Oles then took a 14-7 lead on his 38-yard TD pass to Clark on the team's first drive in the second half.

Haberman's second TD run gave the Oles a 21-10 lead before Concordia responded with a fumble recovery in the St. Olaf end zone to make it 21-17.

After Jennings score, and the Oles taking a 28-17 lead, the Cobbers got a TD run from Nelson and a two-point conversion to get within three with 52 seconds left. St. Olaf recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.

Contact media relations specialist Mike Ludwig at (507) 786-3834 or ludwigm@stolaf.edu.