PHOTOS: Grinnell football flashes potential, falters in second half in opener

A strong start for Grinnell football delivered signs of improvement and flashes of promise despite ultimately falling 48-28 against Lyon College in the season opener at Rosenbloom Field on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. Grinnell began the game by driving down the field for a touchdown from Henry Baird `25 to Noah Smith `27, capping off a 75 yard, 11-play drive. After a response from Lyon in the second quarter to make it 7-6, Grinnell’s offense highlighted its big-play potential with a 66-yard touchdown pass from Baird to Garrett Wilson ’25. After another Lyon response, Grinnell closed out the half with another passing touchdown, this time to Lucky Carton `27, making it 21-12 at halftime.

Lyon came out aggressive in the third quarter, scoring back-to-back touchdowns and adding a field goal to take a seven-point lead to end the third. Interceptions on successive Grinnell possessions then put the game out of reach, although the offense rallied once more late in the game to add another touchdown.

Baird finished the game with 341 yards and four touchdown passes, racking up the highest yardage total for a Grinnell quarterback since 2013. Grinnell also had four receivers with over 65 yards receiving and five defensive players with at least five tackles. Grinnell heads to Ripon College on Sept. 14 for its first Midwest Conference matchup.