Martin Luther's Voss Too Much for Westminster
Minneapolis, Minn., Oct. 26, 2007 – Martin Luther College used a 20-point second quarter to spur them to a 51-36 win over Westminster College in the battle of No. 2 seeds at UMAC Dome Day in the H.H.H. Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.

Senior Joel Voss had 27 carries for 160 yards and four rushing touchdowns in his last game to pace the Knights, who scored a season-high 51 points in the win.

Jacob Schwartz was Martin Luther’s answer early, as the senior Mr. Everything ran for a 13-yard touchdown, followed by a 29-yard field goal in the first quarter. Schwartz, a senior, plays all kinds of positions including running back, receiver, kicker and kick/punt returner.

Westminster claimed a 14-10 lead as the first quarter wrapped up, as Josh Wiltfong caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Edison. The Blue Jays’ Travis Ewing had run for a one-yard score a few minutes before.

Cue Martin Luther’s 20-point second period, when Voss capped a seven-play, 34-yard drive with 11:10 remaining in the quarter to give MLC a 17-14 lead. Freshman quarterback Greg Holzhueter followed with an eight-yard touchdown run six minutes later. After Chad Shank caught a touchdown pass for Westminster, Holzhueter found Caleb Free for a 12-yard score as the first half’s seconds ticked off the clock, giving Martin Luther a 30-21 lead at the break.

The Blue Jays’ Wiltfong proved that his team wasn’t going away anytime soon, as his five-yard TD reception on their first possession of the second half brought Westminster closer at 30-28. Martin Luther would have none of it though, as Voss ran for scores from one and two yards out to keep the Knights’ offense churning through the fourth quarter. Another Voss touchdown – this time from 25 yards out – secured the victory for MLC, as the scoreboard read 51-36 in favor of the Knights when the clock hit zero.

Martin Luther (6-3, 5-2 UMAC) racked up 493 yards of total offense, balanced by 208 yards of rushing and 285 yards passing. Westminster countered with 392 total yards.

Assisting Voss on the ground was quarterback Holzhueter, who rushed 13 times for 27 net yards. Schwartz’s 52-yard catch in the first quarter spurred the senior on to a total of 148 yards on seven catches. Caleb Free also had 63 yards receiving in the Knights’ win.

Daniel Edison was 13-of 24 for Westminster (4-5, 4-3 UMAC), recording 194 yards and four touchdowns. Edison hit each of Michael Harris and Chad Shank in the end zone to add to the receivers’ 92 and 39 yards, respectively.