ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College football team earned its fourth consecutive victory with a 17-7 win over Lawrence University in a Midwest Conference contest Saturday afternoon at Macalester Stadium. The Scots remain unbeaten in the conference at 4-0 while improving to 5-1 overall, while the Vikings fall to 2-3, 1-2 MWC.

Macalester started the game with touchdowns on its first two possessions for a 14-0 lead. On just the second play of the game, junior running back Matthew Bonazzoli (Swampscott, Mass./Buckingham Browne & Nichols) ran for a 47-yard touchdown. Junior running back Jacob Jones (Hanceville, Ala./Holly Pond) followed up a 26-yard completion from junior quarterback Christian Adams (Alexandria, La./Pineville) to sophomore receiver Jonathan Knee (Lynnfield, Mass./Lynnfield) with a 24-yard touchdown run less than four minutes into the game.

Senior Ben Haltmaier (Short Hills, N.J./Pingry School) kicked a 26-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first half for a 17-0 lead. The Scots dominated in the first half, gaining 251 yards of total offense compared to 84 for Lawrence. Macalester had opportunities to extend its lead, stalling at the 2 yard line and also missing a 36-yard field goal, but the hosts settled for a 17-0 halftime lead.

Lawrence sent a message at the start of the second half, taking the kickoff and driving 86 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 17-7. Quarterback Philip Santiago hit Cam Boerm for a nine-yard touchdown catch midway through the third quarter. The Vikings maintained that momentum from the opening drive, gaining a total of 301 yards after halftime. But the Scots' defense held when it needed to, forcing Lawrence to attempt field goals on its next two possessions. The Vikings missed the first one, and junior defensive back Jack Schultenover (Glenwood, Minn./Minnewaska Area) blocked the second attempt.

With the game on the line, Macalester's defense forced Lawrence to turn the ball over on downs three times in the fourth quarter to close out the win. The effort balanced out the Scots' troubles on offense in the second half, with just two first downs and a total of 48 yards after halftime.

Jones finished with 73 yards on 13 carries, while Bonazzoli had 65 yards on seven carries. Knee caught four passes for 69 yards and also ran four times for 38 yards. Adams was 9-of-23 for 107 yards. For Lawrence, Santiago threw for 182 yards and ran for a team-high 55 yards.

Macalester continues Midwest Conference play with a home game against Lake Forest on Saturday, Oct. 15. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Macalester Stadium.