NEW ULM — Concordia University Wisconsin’s defense and aerial attack carried the team to a 35-14 win over Martin Luther College on Saturday afternoon at the MLC Bowl in a DIII college football game.

The Falcons’ defense caused five MLC turnovers, four coming on interceptions by four different players in Christian Izard, Gio Nowotarski, Breven Palpallatoc and Christopher Jennings.

Falcons quarterback James Linn was 21 of 37 for 234 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Tim Houlihan had nine catches for 137 yards.

Carson Oestreich had 36 carries for 167 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Knights on offense, while Mason Cox had three catches for 59 yards. Knights quarterback Max Nordlie was held to 77 yards through the air on 5-of-11 passing.

Nathan Golisch led MLC on defense with six tackles, while Joey Ehlke had an interception.

While the first quarter was scoreless, MLC did end the quarter driving into CUW territory to the 28-yard line. The 41-yard drive ended right away in the second quarter, however, after the Falcons recovered a fumble at their own 39-yard line.

CUW then drove down the field and capped off the drive with a 2-yard TD run by Ashar Thomas. After forcing a turnover on downs, CUW took a 14-0 lead after Linn found Christian Booker for a 17-yard TD with 5:39 left in the half.

The Knights were quick to answer the Booker TD on their next drive with one big play from Oestreich, who found an opening on the left side for a 52-yard TD to trail 14-7 with 5:26 left in the half.

CUW erased that MLC momentum with two more scores before the half. The first score came on a 1-yard run by Colin Rerecich, while the second came as the halftime clock expired after Nordlie was intercepted by Nowotarski for a touchdown.

CUW went up 35-7 in the third quarter on another TD run by Thomas, this time a 4-yarder. The Knights capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard TD run by Oestreich.

MLC travels to St. Paul next Saturday to take on Macalester.