The Lake Forest College football team suffered its first loss to a Midwest Conference member since the 2019 season finale on Saturday, falling 16-14 to visiting Ripon College on a last-minute touchdown.
The Foresters had won their last 18 regular season games and their last 16 match-ups with fellow league programs.
Both defenses excelled on Saturday and the first quarter was scoreless. Lake Forest struck first on an 11-yard touchdown pass from senior Tre Stewart to sophomore wide receiver Langston Metoyer at the 12:12 mark of the second. The drive began at the Forester 40 thanks to a 21-yard punt return by sophomore Jayce Knutsen and included four carries for 18 yards by senior running back Armani Brown.
A Ripon field goal with 4:28 to play in the half made the score 7-3 but the Foresters responded with their best possession of the day, an 11-play, 74-yard drive that was capped off by an 18-yard touchdown pass from Stewart to freshman wide receiver Mario Florio. Brown and senior tailback Damon Bonds combined for 33 rushing yards and Stewart was 3-for-4 passing on the drive. Florio's first career score came on a 3rd-and-13 play.
Lake Forest led 14-3 at halftime and the teams combined for five punts and two lost fumbles in a scoreless third quarter.
Ripon reached the end zone for the first time in the game 66 seconds into the final period.
The Foresters punted on their next three drives but forced a punt and added the second interception of the season by senior linebacker Dylan Pedersen to maintain their 14-10 advantage.
Ripon's final possession began at the visitors' 25-yardline with 2:33 on the clock. Eleven plays later a 15-yard pass play provided the winning points with just 21 seconds on the clock. The Foresters blocked the extra point attempt but were unable to return it and tie the game.
Bonds led all players in the game with 114 all-purpose yards while Brown had a team-high 49 on the ground.
Freshman linebacker Charles Fordon and senior defensive end Alex Bendler each finished with a career-high 10 tackles and Bendler's stat line included 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Senior defensive end Justin Albee recovered the fumble while senior cornerback Dante Esposito turned in his first interception of the season and added three pass breakups.
Both teams entered the game 5-0 overall and 4-0 in league play this season.
Lake Forest will host Grinnell College next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
