Football Recap: Nebraska Lutheran Falls to East Butler in First Game of Season

Nebraska Lutheran had to hit the road for their first game and it wasn't the result they were hoping for. They were dealt a 74-28 defeat at the hands of the East Butler Tigers on Friday. Sadly, the loss continues a streak the team started last season, making it four in a row.

Nebraska Lutheran's defeat shouldn't obscure the performances of Luke Otte, who picked up 122 receiving yards and one TD, and Weston Koontz, who picked up 55 receiving yards and a pair of scores. Otte was no stranger to the big play, cutting upfield on a catch that went for 63 yards.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead East Butler to victory, but perhaps none more so than Grant Kozisek, who rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns on only seven carries, and also threw for 47 yards and one TD. Those 134 rushing yards gave Kozisek a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Rocco Hageman, who gained 111 total yards and four touchdowns.

Looking ahead, Nebraska Lutheran will be defending their home field for the first time this season when they go up against Fullerton at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for East Butler, they are packing up and heading out on the road for their first away game of the season: they will square off against Guardian Angels Central Catholic at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.