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Football defeats Finlandia to move one win away from NCAA tournament

Football defeats Finlandia to move one win away from NCAA tournament

HANCOCK, Mich. - The football team built a three touchdown first half lead and held Finlandia without a touchdown in the Panthers 28-2 win on Saturday. The victory set up Greenville for a chance to clinch the program's first NCAA Division III national tournament bid next Saturday with a win against Minnesota Morris.

Paul Garrett continued his UMAC offensive player of the year effort with 22 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns. He scored with 7:20 and 2:01 remaining in the second quarter and later added a touchdown with 1:30 to go in the third quarter.

Chase Butterfield opened Greenville's scoring with a touchdown with 2:08 to play in the first quarter.

Finlandia only managed to put the points from a safety on the scoreboard early in the third quarter.

The Panthers outgained Finlandia 323-115 in total offense.

Butterfield completed 11-of-17 passes for 138 yards and ran the ball eight times for 28 yards. His top receiving target was Matthew Tiger with five receptions for 79 yards.

Lakari Benjamin was GU's leading tackler with nine in the contest. Benjamin was credited with an assisted quarterback sack.

Brandon Martin and Turjon McLaurin each ended with six tackles. Martin had an assist on a quarterback sack, and McLaurin collected one and a half quarterback sacks.

Lorenzo Ware registered an interception in the secondary.

The Panthers (7-2) will kickoff against Morris at Noon at Francis Field. Senior day activities will begin at 11:40 a.m.