WINONA, Minn. – Texas A&M-Commerce put an end to Winona State University's best season in over a decade on Saturday afternoon at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium in a defensive battle that saw the Warriors fall, 20-6.
A crowd of over 1,600 saw the Warriors quench a 13-year home postseason drought in what was WSU's first NCAA playoff game since 2007.
No. 12 Winona State has it season come to an end with a record of 10-2 while No. 8 Texas A&M-Commerce (10-1) advances to the semifinals of the Super Region Four bracket.
The Warriors, who were picked to finished sixth in the conference preseason poll, posted their six 10-win season in program history under NSIC Coach of the Year Tom Sawyer.
"We had our opportunities today, but couldn't get into the end zone, and if you look at our two losses on the year that was the determining factor," Sawyer said. "Against a really good offensive opponent, you have to convert on those chances."
Winona thrived this season capitalizing on its opponents' miscues, but lost the turnover battle to the Lions, 3-1. Senior quarterback Darren Beenken played under center for the first time in three weeks after suffering a concussion and was intercepted three times in the loss.
Despite Saturday's result, Beenken was still at the heart of WSU's turnaround this season in helping guide one of the top-scoring offenses in the conference. The Farmington, Minnesota native waited four years for his chance to start for the Warriors and did his part in leading Winona back to the postseason.
On the other side of the ball, the country's top passer, Luis Perez was 28-of-41 for 308 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Vincent Hobbs was on the receiving end of both scoring catches in the first quarter which put Winona in a 14-0 hole.
For the final three quarters, the Warriors and Lions played even with just six points apiece on the scoreboard. The teams entered the game each ranked in the top 13 in the country in scoring defense, and the units lived up to their billing.
Winona held A&M-Commerce to its lowest scoring output since week 1 of the season and slashed the Lions' season average of 40.4 points per game in half on Saturday.
Luke Teague led the Warrior defense with nine tackles, including one and a half behind the line of scrimmage. The senior also forced and recovered a fumble late in the first half near the Warriors' own end zone.
Fellow seniors Andrew Spencer and Mike Imperiale recorded seven tackles apiece. Carter Duxbury also notched seven tackles and had the Warriors' lone sack of the game.
Isaiah Frandsen hauled in four catches for 71 yards. Winona native, Eric Birth, led the ground attack with 61 yards on nine attempts.
Carter McCauley accounted for Winona's six points on the night and finishes the season with a new single-season record of 104. The senior concludes his career as the Warrior and conference record holder with 55 field goals.
