The Lakeland University football team could not overcome a slow start, falling 23-14 to Carthage College in their season opener on the road.
The Firebirds took an early lead thanks to a 64-yard TD run from Davion Hayes less than a minute into the game, and Mikel McGowan would find paydirt four minutes later on a pass from Jack DeFilippis.
A field goal in the 2nd gave the Firebirds a 16-0 lead entering halftime, and they came out of the break, and Hayes took the kickoff to the house with a 95-yard return.
The Muskies struck back in the ensuing possession, with Carson Glosny finding Caleb Besaw on a 20-yard TD pass.
A successful two-point conversion brought the Muskies back to within 15, but they wouldn’t score again until there was less than 2 minutes left in the contest when Glosny hit Braylon Reece on a 26-yard pass.
Lakeland actually outpaced Carthage offensively, throwing for 277 yards and rushing for 144 more.
The Muskies start the season 0-1 and will try to bounce back this Saturday at Greenville University.
