DE PERE - St. Norbert College nearly rallied from a 15-point deficit to close to withing four points at halftime but eventuall succumbed to Concordia University Wisconsin 24-17 in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference game at Schneider Stadium.

The Green Knights fell behind 21-6 early in the second quarter before a quick 11-point spurt brought them to within 21-17 at the break, but they would not score in the second half.

Concordia took the opening kickoff and moved 75 yards in six plays, capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Roman Funk to Jason Leonard. The Green Knights answered on a seven-play, 65-yard drive when Michael Meneguzzo found Neville Roberts over the middle for a 29-yard touchdown strike. The extra point was blocked to keep Concordia ahead 7-6. The Falcons got the score back when Jerome Hinton got loose on a 44-yard touchdown run for a 14-6 lead with 6:33 left in the first quarter. Concordia scored on the third play of the second quarter when Funk hit Leonard again, this time on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 13:59 left in the period.

The Green Knights put together an eight-play, 51-yard drive to score on a 34-yard field goal by Tyler Juergnsen with 9:45 left. St. Norbert then got a quick score when Matt Bondaurer forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff return, with Christian Nabong (pictured) scooping up the loose ball for a 32-yard touchdown return. Meneguzzo hit Roberts on a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 21-17.

St. Norbert had a third-quarter possession start at the Concordia 25 but came up empty, still trailing 21-17 after the third quarter. Concordia scored early in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard field goal from Cole Martin with 14:16 left for a 24-17 lead. The Green Knights would have fourth-quarter drives reach the Concordia 37- and 40-yard lines but were unable to advance closer.

Concordia outgained St. Norbert 372-232 in total offense. Meneguzzo completed 17 of 31 passes for 164 yards with one touchdown and one interception. WIll Darden rushed 14 times for 56 yards. Roberts caught four passes for 48 yards and one touchdown, while Bailey Turenne caught four passes for 50 yards.

Funk completed 14 of 27 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns for Concordia. Hinton rushed eight times for 110 yards and one touchdown. Jack Bradley had four catches for 68 yards.

John Seitz led the St. Norbert defense with 14 tackles, while Brian Treacy and Payton Ponteras added eight each.