WELLS &045; It’s obvious the offensive line had a good night for the United South Central football team.

But the defense did even better.

The Rebels racked up 396 yards of offense while holding visiting Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial to a minus-26 yards rushing as USC rolled to a season-opening 33-6 triumph at Wells Friday night.

&uot;It was a very good defensive performance,&uot; said coach Brent Schimek, whose Rebels were 9-2 a year ago. &uot;We had a few too many penalties and turnovers, and we need to cut back on those against Maple River next week.&uot;

The Rebels jumped on top early, taking a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ben Wetzell to Nate Pederson and a 3-yard scoring run by John Niebuhr.

The defense got on the scoreboard in the second quarter, when Justin Knutson recovered a fumble in the LCWM end zone. Wetzell and Pederson hooked up for a 32-yard scoring strike before halftime, making it 25-0.

Joel Robinson scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter.

The visitors’ touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 45-yard pass against the Rebels’ reserves.

Wetzell, a second-year starter at quarterback, was 8-for-16 for 178 yards, with no interceptions. Pederson caught four passes for 98 yards. Haugh was the leading rusher, with 75 yards on 10 carries. Niebuhr carried 12 times for 47 yards.

Niebuhr’s eight tackles and a fumble recovery led the defense. Haugh had six tackles.

The Rebels play at Maple River this Friday.

LCWM

0

0

0

6

&045;

6

USC

13

12

7

0

&045;

33

First Quarter

USC&045;Pederson 11 pass from Wetzell (kick failed)

USC&045;Niebuhr 3 run (Knutson kick)

Second Quarter

USC&045;Knutson fumble recovery in end zone (pass failed)

USC&045;Pederson 32 pass from Wetzell (Knutson kick)

Third Quarter

USC&045;Robinson 2 run (Knutson kick)

Fourth Quarter

LCWM&045;45 pass (pass failed)

TEAM STATISTICS: LCWM, USC

Rushing yards: 26, 218

Passing yards:

188, 178

Total yards: 162, 396

Turnovers: 3, 4

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING&045;USC, Haugh 10-75; Niebuhr 12-47.

PASSING&045;USC, Wetzell 8-16-0, 178.

RECEIVING&045;USC, Pederson 4-98.