Coe’s Lahr runs wild over Luther

CEDAR RAPIDS — Sam Lahr traded gathering gear for wearing it again.

He started college as a manager for the Iowa State football team, but missed playing the game, so he transferred to Coe.

The senior running back might be a little more pleased with his decision after his performance Saturday. Lahr rushed for 239 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Kohawks to a 44-22 win over Luther in Iowa Conference play at Clark Field.

'It was a lot of fun,' Lahr said. 'We finally got some things clicking up front. I can't say enough about our offensive line. They did a phenomenal job. I got some great blocks from my fullback. We got things going.'

Lahr's career best ranks 11th all-time on the Kohawks' single-game rushing list and is the 23rd time Coe has had a 200-yard rusher. Lahr became just the seventh rusher in Coe history to surpass 200 yards, joining the likes of NFL veteran Fred Jackson and former pro Carey Bender.

'It's just an honor,' said Lahr, who became the first to reach that total since Ashton Northern went for 231 yards against Cornell in 2006. 'Those guys are way out of my league.'

Lahr's 25 carries were a mix of short, intermediate and long runs, including a 1-yard TD that capped the Kohawks' first possession and tied the game, 7-7.

'He's a tough kid,' Coe Coach Steve Staker said. 'He's a great runner.

'He has great balance and just keeps his legs moving. He can break a tackle, or even when he has guys hanging on him he seems to work and spin and get himself a few more yards.'

Lahr had three scores in the second half, including touchdown runs of 5 and 8 yards. He broke a 52-yarder for a score, giving Coe a 38-14 lead with 8:05 to go in the fourth.

He had some big gains, including at least four runs of 10 or more yards.

'I haven't seen a lot of them this year,' Lahr said. 'The line did awesome (Saturday). It was almost a shock on a couple of them. You got through the line and there was almost no one there.'

Staker and Lahr both praised the offensive line. Staker said they have tried to find answers for more consistency up front. The Kohawks (3-5, 2-3) turned the tables on one of the nation's top ground attacks, boasting a 349-290 edge in rushing yards.

Coe had no choice after Luther needed just four rushes to charge 68 yards for a TD on its opening drive.

'We rushed the ball well,' Staker said. 'We haven't been able to do that all year.'

'We had to answer the bell. They were taking up time on the clock and came right down and scored, too.'

Quarterback Josh Rekers entered the game in the second quarter, relieving Gavin Glenn, who got the start. Rekers threw for 136 yards, including a 19-yard TD to Demetrius Harper with 34 seconds left before halftime for a 17-7 lead at the break.

Rekers appears to have reclaimed his starting spot after the coaches tried a change of pace under center.

'He stepped it up,' Staker said. 'I foresee him finishing out the year at quarterback.'

Defensively, the Kohawks kept the Norse in check. They alternated schemes to disrupt the Norse game plan. Even though Luther had more than 300 total yards of offense, the Norse (3-5, 1-4) only managed three Christian Moore touchdown runs.

'We didn't really break,' Staker said. 'We bent a little and figured that would happen because they pound, pound, pound and that option gets tough.

'I thought everybody played well. We needed that win.'

Luther Coach Aaron Hafner said his team didn't get early-down gains that it needed and struggled to tackle well.

Moore had a strong game, amassing 122 yards with scores of 1, 4 and 19 yards.

'He's a heck of a football player and a hard runner,' Hafner said. 'He fits into our offense very well. He's a hardworking kid.'

Coe hosts University of Dubuque next week. The Spartans (6-2, 5-0) are leading the IIAC this season, dropping Loras, 42-7, Saturday.

'We have a big game here,' Lahr said. 'They are on top of the league. They are there for a reason.'

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