Southfield, MI – The Lawrence Technological University football team kicked off their 2021 season at home on Saturday night, the first home night game in Blue Devils history, beating Madonna University 26-7.

The Blue Devils had a chance to strike first on their second possession of the game but, a short field goal attempt was missed as the game remained scoreless. On their next possession, Lawrence Tech started on 

Madonna's side of the field but turned the ball over on downs as the game headed to the second quarter.

Quarterback Tyler Kulka led his team down the field again early in the second quarter but, the drive would come up empty with another missed field goal.

Running the two-minute drill before the half, Lawrence Tech had the ball at the Madonna 38-yard line and looked poised to score before a Kulka interception was returned 69 yards for a Crusaders touchdown to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

The Blue Devils quarterback remained unfazed however as back-to-back 12-yard completions to Jaden Rembert, put Lawrence Tech at their opponent's 32-yard line with 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter. After a Ben Brittain run after the catch got the Blue Devils to the Crusaders' 9-yard line, Kulka found CJ Thompson on an out route to knot the game up at 7-7 heading to halftime.

After the teams traded possessions to start the third quarter, Lawrence Tech capitalized on great starting field possession at their 47-yard line as a nine-play drive ended with a Brittain three-yard plunge into the endzone to put the home team up 13-7.

The Blue Devils defense keep up the pressure as they forced a punt and, the offense picked up right where it left off. With the ball at the Madonna 14-yard line, Kulka threw a beautiful pass to Matthew Ransome on a go route to the back of the end zone to open up some breathing room at 19-7 after the two-point conversion failed.

The Lawrence Tech defense got off the field yet again and, this time the special teams unit got on the board as a 59-yard punt return touchdown by Marquise Thorns made it a 26-7 Blue Devil lead to cap off a season-opening win.

Kulka threw for over 250 yards and 2TDs with his favorite target being Ransome who pulled in seven passes for 123 yards and a TD. Brittain added over 50 yards on the ground and a TD to go with a 23-yard reception.

The Lawrence Tech defense held the Crusaders to less than 200 yards of total offense as they kept the Madonna offense off the board. 

The Blue Devils hit the road next Saturday, September 4th when they travel to Bluefield State (WV) for a noon kickoff.