GALESBURG, Illinois—In a matchup of 0-2 teams, the Prairie Fire of Knox College (0-2, 0-1 MWC) faced two close losses in the first two weeks of the season, while the St. Norbert Green Knights (0-2, 0-0) had only scored 28 total points in two non-conference games this season.
 
The Knights wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as a few long runs quickly set St. Norbert up for a 23-yard rushing touchdown by J.T. Crosby with just under 1:30 gone from the clock.
 
A less than stellar return on the ensuing kickoff set up the Prairie Fire deep in their own territory on their first drive of the game. After a seemingly normal three-and-out, the Fire decided to go for it on fourth down and were unable to convert.
 
This set up the Knights and J.T. Crosby for a definite score. After two consecutive runs by Crosby the Green Knights went up 14-0 with 12:05 left in the first.
 
Knox looked to be making a strike back with a 45-yard drive into shallow St. Norbert territory, but another failed 4th down conversion gave the ball back to the Knights. After 5 consecutive rushes by Elijah Fort, J.T. Crosby recorded his third rushing touchdown of the day.
 
The first play of the following drive for Knox ended quickly after an interception thrown by Matt McCaffrey. Three plays later on a 4th and 8, J.T. Crosby recorded his fourth total touchdown of the day on a 29 yard pass to Zach Reeves. A fumble on the kickoff set St. Norbert up for another score and by the end of the first quarter the Fire found themselves down 35-0.
 
The second quarter began just the opposite of the first quarter as Matt McCaffrey led the Fire on an 18 play, 72 yard drive and taking up 7:43 on the clock. The drive resulted in a field goal by Wes Koerber to bring the score to 35-3 in favor of the Knights. The rest of the second quarter went back-and-forth with no give by either team and the score remained 35-3 at the half.
 
The second half opened about as well as the first did. Kobe Shutter replaced Matt McCaffrey at QB on the first drive of the half and on the first play of the drive, Shutter fumbled and set the Knights up inside the 20-yard line.
 
A turnover on downs by the Knights nullified the fumble by Shutter but a turnover on downs by the Fire on the following drive set up the Knights for a two play drive resulting in a rushing touchdown by J.T. Crosby.
 
A three-and-out forced by the Norbert defense again stopped any momentum the Fire thought of building back up. However, the Fire defense forced a punt by the Knights on their ensuing drive to keep the game where it was.
 
On the following drive, seeing themselves pinned at the 3-yard line, the Prairie Fire offense was able to keep themselves from being tackled in the endzone for a safety, but not much else to say as they went three-and-out.
 
A Green Knight punt to the Knox 5-yard line put the Prairie Fire in a bad position once again, and this time the Knights earned the safety they were looking for, making the score 44-3.
 
The Fire defense forced a three-and-out on the next drive and then Mario Whitley blocked the punt to set the Fire up inside St. Norbert Territory. The Fire offense was not able to capitalize however, and the score remained 44-3.
 
A turnover on downs with just over 10 minutes left in the 4th had the Knights threatening to score again. The Prairie Fire defense was able to keep St. Norbert out of the end zone but a field goal made the score 47-3 with 7 minutes remaining.
 
Another field goal by the Knights made the final score 50-3.
 
The game was a story of turnovers for the Fire. They won the time of possession battle, but often ended drives with fumbles and interceptions. They were able to string drives together, but unable to capitalize once they drew nearer to the goal line.
 
The rushing attack was working for the Fire on this day as Nick Edlund and Braeden Westfall combined for 74 yards rushing on 26 attempts. Patrick Marzolino also had a great game for the Knox receiving corps as he caught 4 passes for 45 yards including a 14-yard reception.

The Fire will take on Ripon College next weekend at Ripon, looking to get on the winning track.