The Albert Lea varsity football team evened up its season record with a Big Nine Conference win over Red Wing on the road.

The Tigers played tough out of the gate Friday, ultimately defeating the Wingers 42-21.

“We were dominant from the start … from start to finish,” Albert Lea head coach Corey Black said.

The Tigers scored seven points in the first quarter, before amping up the intensity to score 21 in the second.

“We really took the game over,” Black said.

The Tigers didn’t lose momentum over halftime, which senior running back JJ Mucha-Owens proved by opening the second half with a 96-yard return for a touchdown. Mucha-Owens finished the night with 289 yards on 17 carries for a total of three touchdowns.

Black also highlighted the strong play of Brody Dauer, Cole Janssen, Weston Dahl, Trevor Ball and Hayden Johnston on Albert Lea’s offensive line.

The Tigers defense came to play, too, with junior Cody Yokiel notching a pick-six.

The Tigers (1-1) will come back to Albert Lea to open their home season in the updated Hammer Complex at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 against Rochester Mayo.