SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State Warriors (6-3, 3-2 NSIC South) traveled to Sioux Falls for their final road game of the year to take on NSIC South foe Augustana Vikings (6-3, 3-2 South). The Vikings got the edge over the Warriors, winning the defensive battle 21-20.
 
The Warriors cut up the Augustana defense to begin the game, scoring a touchdown on just four plays. Paul Preston broke free for a 48-yard rush setting up a 17-yard touchdown connection on the next play from Jack Nelson to Abe Folkerts, giving Winona State a 7-0 lead.
 
Augustana was fast to tie things up in their first possession, doing so on an eight play, 69-yard drive resulting in a four-yard touchdown pass from Trey Heid to Jake Bartscher, tying the score at seven.
 
Following a Winona State punt, Augustana began to drive once again but their attempt to take the lead was thwarted by a pair of big defensive plays from the Warriors. The first of which came on a sack by Jarrett Wood and Aikan Major. A few plays later a fumble forced by Andrew Spencer gave the Warriors possession after the ball rolled out of the end zone.
 
The Warriors were unable to capitalize on the turnover and the Vikings forced another punt. Winona State got possession back quickly as Nick Pridgeon intercepted Heid's pass and returned the pick 24-yards.
 
Pridgeon's interception set up a scoring opportunity to begin the second quarter for the Warriors but Carter McCauley's 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked. The Winona State defense continued to stifle Augustana, forcing another interception, this time by Sir'Vegias Steele, who had a two yard return on the play. The interception would not lead to points for the Warriors.
 
The Vikings had a chance to take their first lead of the game but Lucas Wainman's 23-yard field goal attempt was missed wide right, keeping the score tied at seven. The Warriors countered with a field goal attempt of their own with four seconds remaining in the half. McCauley's 47-yard field goal sailed through the uprights giving Winona State a 10-7 lead at halftime.
 
The third quarter was a defensive battle that began with a punt from both sides. Augustana had another field goal attempt, this time to tie the game, but the 42-yard attempt also missed wide right. The Warriors couldn't counter and were forced to punt for the second consecutive possession.
 
The Winona State defense didn't break on the Viking's fourth and one conversion attempt forcing an incomplete pass from Heid, closing out the third quarter 10-7 in favor of WSU.
 
The final quarter of play featured fireworks from both sides. The quarter began with a lost fumble from Preston; however, Winona State countered quickly as Mike Imperiale forced a fumble that was recovered by Anthony Catanese on Augustana's next play from scrimmage.
 
Winona State got back on the scoreboard following an eight play, 34-yard drive thanks to a 30-yard field goal from McCauley, giving the Warriors a 13-7 lead. The Warriors looked to put the game away as the following kickoff was fumbled by the Vikings and recovered by Clint Warminski. Augustana kept their hopes alive however by blocking McCauley's 35-yard field goal just four plays later.
 
Augustana scored for the first time in the half, taking advantage of the blocked field goal by going 80 yards on 12 plays. A five yard rushing touchdown by Heid tied the game at 13. The extra point was missed keeping the score deadlocked at 13.
 
With time winding down in the game Winona State drove 61-yards on eight plays leaving just 1:25 left in the quarter after Preston's one-yard touchdown scamper. McCauley's extra point would give the Warriors a 20-13 lead.
 
Augustana refused to quit as they moved the ball 75-yards in 1:07 before Heid finished off the possession with a four-yard touchdown pass to Matt Heller. The score brought the Vikings within an extra point of tying the game. Andrew Spencer blocked the extra point but the Vikings were given a second chance as Spencer was called for a personal foul on the play. Augustana took advantage of the extra opportunity converting a two-point conversion as Heid snuck into the end-zone giving the Vikings a 21-20 lead with just 18 seconds remaining.
 
The Warriors had one more chance and got in position for a final toss to the end-zone. As time expired Jack Nelson heaved a Hail-Mary from the 50-yard-line in the direction of Cameron Johnson. The Warriors thought they had the game won but the ball was ruled incomplete and the Vikings escaped with the 21-20 victory.
 
Quick Hitters:

• Preston led both sides in rushing yards with 198 net yards on the day.
• The 198 yards was the 16^th most in school history and was a new career high for the senior running back.
• His 29 carries in the game is 19^th most in program history.
• With his touchdown pass Jack Nelson extended his consecutive touchdown streak to 41.
• Nelson needs 71 yards to set a new NSIC passing yard record, he currently has 11,511.
• He is also just 76 yards' shy of becoming the Minnesota NCAA all-time passing yardage leader.
• Nelson's recorded his 100^th passing touchdown, becoming the 27^th player to do so in NCAA Division II history.
• Cameron Johnson's 52 yards brings him to 1,051 receiving yards on the season.
• Andrew Spencer led the Warriors in tackles with 12 total including a forced fumble.
• Spencer was followed by Imperiale who had 11 total and a forced fumble of his own.
• McCauley went 2-4 on field goals on the day with a long of 47.

The Warriors return home next Saturday to face off against Southwest Minnesota State kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
By: Jake Thiede