The Pierre Governors were blitzed for over 500 yards of offense from the Harrisburg Tigers on Friday in a 56-20 loss to open up the season on the road.
The Governors were able to answer the first score of the game from Harrisburg with a 43 yard throw and catch from Lincoln Kienholz to Jack Merkwan. Merkwan caught his second touchdown catch on the next drive with the defense getting its lone stop of the first half to give Pierre a 13-7 lead. However, Harrisburg rattled off 28 straight points and lead 42-20 at the half. Two more scores in the second half started a running clock midway in the fourth to finish the win against Pierre.
Although the Tigers gained over 500 yards offensively, the Governors picked up 410 yards with 289 coming through the air. Lincoln Kienholz finished the night 21-33 with three touchdown passes, two to Jack Merkwan and another to Kade Kaiser. Kaiser was the leading receiver in grabs with nine while Merkwan finished with 99 yards and two catches. Jacob Knuth, Harrisburg’s Big Ten quarterback recruit finished the night 12-17 for 277 yards, four touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. Gavin Ross rushed for 203 yards on 20 carries and found pay dirt twice.
The Governors will be at home for the first time next Friday, against Mitchell with kickoff at 7:00. Coverage will begin on KCCR, kccrradio.com and on YouTube at KCCR Sports at 6:30 with Jon Winkler and Greg Dean on the call.
