WAUKESHA, Wis. - As the Carroll University football team slowly walked off following a frustrating loss in its home-field finale, it could only ponder what might have been had the hopes for a successful fourth-quarter comeback become a reality.
That was a fitting way to describe the sub-dued atmosphere following an emotional 24-14 loss to fierce rival Augustana College in a sunny, cold College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin home-field finale at Schneider Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It was the second consecutive conference loss for Carroll, which dropped to 2-6 in the league standings and 3-6 overall with the Senior Day performance in front of a large, vocal crowd.
Augustana, which improved to 3-5 in conference and 4-5 overall, led 10-7 at halftime and outscored the Pioneers 14-7 in the second half - including seven unanswered points in what proved to be a decisive third quarter.
The Vikings collected what became the eventual winning touchdown as senior running back Ryan Pitra scored on a 1-yard run with 10:55 remaining in the third quarter - capping a critical momentum-shifting eight-play, 60-yard drive.
Senior quarterback Zachary Fuller completed 18 of 27 passes for 223 yards with an interception in leading a balanced attack for Augustana, which amassed 24 first downs and 418 yards of total offense. Pitra finished with 20 carries for 103 yards, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Sophomore wide receiver Max Uranich contributed six receptions for a game-high 123 yards.
Freshman running back Preston Bell (Scottlandville, La.) scored on a 16-yard run to finish a game-opening seven-play, 70-yard drive with 11:37 remaining in the first quarter for Carroll, which generated 23 first downs and 287 total yards in the physical, hard-hitting contest.
Augustana tied the game on its second drive as junior running back Bobby Jarosz scored on a 3-yard run with 2:11 left in the opening quarter.
Senior Ryan Ganson kicked a 28-yard field goal as the Vikings extended the lead to 10-7 with 3:38 left in the first half - ultimately setting the stage for Pitra's winning TD early in the second half.
Momentum shifted in Carroll's favor in the opening minute of the fourth quarter as senior defensive back Colin Shepley (Northfield, Minn.) hauled in an interception with 14:15 remaining.
Carroll immediately took advantage of good field position and promptly responded with an inspired 10-play, 58-yard drive capped with a gritty, tough 7-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Colton Bahling (Belvidere, Ill.) and senior kicker Griffin Idelman's (Wood Dale, Ill.) extra point to trim the deficit to 17-14 with 9:08 left.
On the key play, Bahling took control of the snap out of shotgun formation, sprinted hard around the right side of the line of scrimmage, quickly worked upfield and finished by splitting the two defenders and diving into the end zone.
The key drive was sustained as Bahling connected with senior wide receiver Parker Zitzke (Waukesha, Wis.) on a 10-yard pass to convert a critical fourth-and-five situation.
"Coming in, we knew it was a big game with it being Senior Day and really wanted to go out on a high note," said Bahling, of the emotional day. "Augustana is a good, tough team so we attempted to come out firing on all cylinders on the opening drive and set the tone. Even though we shot ourselves in the foot at times throughout the afternoon, we remained focused, continued to make plays and put ourselves in position for a victory at the end. 
"In the fourth quarter, we had a few setbacks on the scoring drive but we managed to overcome them and punch it in to cut the lead to 17-14. It was a huge moment and created a lot of energy on both the sidelines and in the stands. It meant a lot to be able to score on such a special day but would've meant more if we had come away with a victory. It was a tough loss but we played like a family the entire way. 
"As seniors, we tried to soak it all in walking off the field one more time. Even though they were sad tears instead of happy ones, we played hard and that's all that really matters. We played a lot of great games, made a lot of memories on that field and enjoyed the experience."
The momentum was short lived as Augustana answered with a time consuming 16-play, 69-yard drive finished on an 8-yard TD run by Jarosz to extend the lead to 24-14 with 1:50 remaining.
Carroll's final drive stalled on the Vikings' 36-yard line as time ran out.
Bahling completed 11 of 24 passes for 79 yards with an interception and was sacked three times for the Pioneers, who averaged 4.1 yards per play and won the time of possession battle by maintaining the ball for 31:06 in the contest.
Senior running back J.J. Keels  (Melbourne, Fla.) rushed 13 times for 102 yards for Carroll, which converted on only 4 of 15 third-down opportunities but 3 of 5 times on fourth down. Zitzke made seven catches for 48 yards.
"It was very special and a huge opportunity to be able to run onto the field to be honored on Senior Day," said Keels, who made a statement by averaging 7.8 yards per carry. "I truly appreciate being a part of this team, everything Carroll University has done for me during my time and will miss it.
"At the beginning of the year, we established ourselves as a hard-running team and the backs have really tried to assume the role of game changers. Today, we just attempted to follow through on that once again and take control of the game in the fourth quarter. Colton finished with a nice run to make it close. At that point, everyone was hyped and thought a victory was within reach. Unfortunately, we came up a little short at the end. Overall, it was just a good rivalry-type game between two hard-hitting teams."
Senior defensive back Linzy Hudson (Milwaukee, Wis.) registered a team-high 12 tackles and broke up a pass for the Carroll defense. Shepley followed with 10 tackles, senior linebacker Luke Wood (Potterville, Mich.) contributed nine tackles while senior free safety Cameron Cassaro (Caledonia, Ill.) added eight tackles and broke up two passes.
"I'm really proud of the guys and the discipline they displayed in playing a good, complete game today," said Carroll head coach Mark Krzykowski, noting the determined effort of his close-knit squad and lasting contributions of the senior class (referring to Bahling, Keels, Zitzke, Shepley, Idelman, Wood, Hudson, Cassaro, running back Drake Pusateri (Lombard, Ill.), tight end David Meza (Berlin, Wis.), wide receiver Bailey Brown (McHenry, Ill.), defensive back Andy Thorsen (Onalaska, Wis.), running back Sam Spence (Punta Gorda, Fla.), linebacker Marcus Lindstrand (Wilmot, Wis.), defensive back Billy Krawczyk (Lockport, Ill.), senior linebacker Andrew Danculovich (Cudahy, Wis.), defensive lineman Seth Argast (Plainfield, Ill.), fullback Ainsley McClure (Fremont, Calif.), linebacker Eric Meilahn (Boca Raton, Fla.), offensive lineman Rylee Nass (Hustisford, Wis.), linebacker Steven Vogel (Reedsville, Wis.), defensive tackle Mostafa El-Leboudi (Palos Hills, Ill.), offensive lineman John Eck (Ocala, Fla.), offensive lineman Nick Becker (Tinley Park, Ill.), defensive lineman Kyle Schroeder (Watertown, Wis.), offensive lineman Connor Forbes (Rockton, Ill.), punter Austin Harter (Rockton, Ill.), defensive end Peter Kunesh (Manitowoc, Wis.) and senior defensive end Sam Nelson (Eagle, Wis.). "Obviously, we need to still get better but did a nice job on both sides of the ball of making plays and putting oursleves in position for a victory in the fourth quarter. Even though we came up short, we kept battling and that's what we have to remember moving forward into our final game of the season. We just have to play hard, compete up to our potential and show that Pioneer pride by bringing home one more victory to finish the season.
"Looking back, I vividly remember this group of seniors when they came in as freshmen and how serious they were about staying together through it all. It's a real testament to their heart and character how they honored that commitment and win or lose epitomized what the Carroll football family is all about."