Injury Bug Bites Hard in Loss to Hudson

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

Menomonie , WI - The Menomonie Mustangs dropped their Big Rivers Conference opener 20-8 to the Hudson Raiders. Menomonie had multiple starters leave the game and not return, including senior quarterback Taylor Mars and junior running back DJ Butler. Renner Stoll, Luke Bystol, Easton Anderson and Max Branch were among others that had to head to the sideline after injuries.

Despite the injuries, the Mustangs defense made multiple big stops in tight spots.

“Extremely proud of our defense and the effort for four quarters. To hold a team like Hudson to 20 points when we had 4 to 5 big time injuries is a statement to our kids,”

commented coach Sinz.

Hudson capitalized on a Menomonie fumble, the only turnover the Raiders would take advantage of, near the end of the second quarter. With just eight seconds left Hudson quarterback Cooper Adair punched one in from two yards out to help the Raiders take a 13-0 lead into the lockerroom.

To open the second half, Mustangs running back Luke Pember broke through the line and had just one guy to beat to get to the endzone. That one guy, Benjamin Englund, not only stopped him, but caused a fumble to end the Mustangs drive.

A touchdown pass from nine yards out from Aaron Howard to Liam Asher kept Menomonie from a goose eggs on the scoreboard. Menomonie totaled 114 yards on the ground and 68 yards through the air.

Hudson running back Payton Pingel led the Raiders with two touchdowns.

After the loss Menomonie is 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference. Hudson improves to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in conference.

Menomonie travels to Rice Lake next week to take on the Warriors, the #3 ranked team in Division 2.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Menomonie	0	0	0	8
Hudson	7	6	0	13

1st Quarter

H - 7 yd run Pingel (Holden kick), 6:43

2nd Quarter

H - 2 yd run Adair (kick missed), 0:08

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

H - 1 yd run Pingel (Holden kick), 6:04

M - Asher 9 yd pass from Howard (Howard run), 4:26

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Pember (5-37), Mikesell (3-35), Howard (17-18), Butler (5-15), Asher (2-8), Lugo (3-5), Hoff (2-2), Mars (1-1), Stoll (1-(-7)); Totals (39-114)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Howard (7-9-1-0-68) ; Totals (7-9-1-0-68)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie:  Pember (1-35), Asher (3-31), Mikesell (1-3), Erickson (2-(-1)); Totals (7-68)

3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 5-11  / Hudson: 7-16

4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: / Hudson:  

TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 0, FUM - 3  / Hudson: INT - 0, FUM - 0

Game Notes:

• Menomonie was held to their lowest offensive output of the season totaling 182 yards.

• Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is now 55-56; Menomonie 28-18 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016) 

• Records: Menomonie 2-1 (0-1 BRC) / Hudson 3-0 (1-0 BRC)