RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Michael Whitley (Jr.-Vidalia, La.) threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more and Lakeland University jumped on Concordia University Chicago early on the way to a resounding 42-14 win Saturday afternoon at Concordia Stadium.

The Muskies exploded for 28 first-quarter points and dominated on both sides of the ball, never allowing the upstart Cougars a chance in the key Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. Lakeland improved to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the NACC and also put itself right back in the driver's seat for a second straight trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

With Wisconsin Lutheran's 23-19 loss to Benedictine on Saturday, the Muskies now control their own destiny in the conference race. If Lakeland wins its final two regular season games against Aurora and Rockford, it will clinch at least a tie for the conference title and would hold tiebreakers over any teams it might tie for first in the NACC, which would give the Muskies the conference's automatic bid to the Division III championship.

Lakeland gained 562 yards of offense, its best offensive performance in over a month. Whitley was outstanding throwing and running, completing 21 of 28 passes for 302 yards and also rushing for 60 yards.

The quarterback had a hand in a trio of big plays that gave the Muskies a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter. He threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Dezmon Eddie (Fr.-Alexandria, La.) on Lakeland's third offensive play, went deep for a 44-yard score to Kezlow Smith (Sr.-Pontiac, Mich.) and then added a 38-yard run for a touchdown.

Whitley later scored on a two-yard keeper to make it 35-0 early in the second quarter, and added a 13-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter to Michael Wynn (Sr.-Detroit, Mich.), who also had a rushing touchdown of his own on the day.

The Lakeland defense was every bit as responsible for the quick start against the Cougars (4-4 overall, 2-2 NACC). The Muskies held the hosts to 48 yards on five possessions in the first quarter, and Mason Ross (Jr.-Pulaski, Wis.) intercepted two passes to halt drives near midfield.

Concordia was held to seven points until adding a final touchdown with 29 seconds left in the game. The Cougars were still held 20 points below their average of 34 points per game entering the contest, and the Lakeland defense notched three sacks, 11 tackles for loss and surrendered just three third down conversions in 18 attempts.

Brandon Pribbernow (Jr.-Brillion, Wis.) was one of four players to lead the team with six tackles, and he also added 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble. Diante Moses (So.-Houston, Texas) added six tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and Isaiah Vance (Fr.-Zion, Ill.) recorded 1.5 sacks.

Smith finished with six catches for 93 yards while Wynn also caught five balls for 71 yards. Eddie led the running game with 68 yards on eight carries, Eldrada Meeks (So.-Southfield, Mich.) also added 47 yards and Michael Hilliard (Jr.-Detroit, Mich.) also ran for 32 yards on four rushes in the fourth quarter.

The Muskies now prep for a showdown for first in the NACC next Saturday, when they face Aurora for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Urban Field in Sheboygan in their final home game of the season.