Raiders roll in season opener

ST. CLOUD - Defense was the name of the game for the Central Lakes College Raiders during their 23-6 season opening victory over the Fond Du Lac Thunder Friday in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference kickoff Classic at St. Cloud State University.

The Raiders' defense, which picked off five passes and recovered one fumble, limited the Thunder to 84 rushing and 130 aerial yards and kept the Thunder offense out of the end zone.

CLC starting quarterback Andrew Maskell put the Raiders on the board as he punched it into the end zone from 2 yards out, but was injured on the play.

Colt Gatzemeyer filled in for Maskell and connected with Alex Leach for a 38-yard touchdown putting the Raiders up 17-0 in the second quarter.

The Raiders looked to build on their lead just before halftime, but the Thunder forced a fumble and returned the ball for their only points of the game.

Michael Iverson finished off the scoring in the third quarter as he scored from 2 yards out for the final score.

"We got a good win under our belt," Raiders coach Greg Medeck said. "We got a chance to get a lot of guys out on the field and to be able to evaluate them. Hopefully we can build upon this as the season progresses."

The Raiders racked up 117 yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries, while completing 8 of 20 passes for 157 yards and one touchdown.

Fond Du Lac 0 6 0 0 - 6

Central Lakes 7 10 7 0 - 23

First quarter

CLC: Andrew Maskell 2 run (Felipe Castro Kick good)

Second quarter

CLC: 27 field goal Castro

CLC: Alex Leach 38 pass from Colt Gatzemeyer (Castro Kick)

FDL: Fumble Recovery TD (kick failed)

Third quarter

CLC: Michael Iverson 2 run (Castro Kick)

Team statistics

Rushes-yards: CLC 44-117 , FDL 29-84

Pass comp-att-int-yards: CLC 8-20-1-157, FDL 12-30-130

Total offense: CLC 274, FDL 214

Division: CLC 1-0. Overall: CLC 1-0. Next game: Central Lakes hosts Northland 1:30 p.m. Saturday.