MOORHEAD, Minn. – Under cool and raining conditions, Saturday afternoon's tilt between the Winona State University Warriors and MSU Moorhead Dragons saw it all – turnovers, a return touchdown, a safety and a blocked field goal. After the dust settled, Winona State University stood tall and picked up a much-needed win at Moorhead for its first road triumph of the year.
The Warriors scored first and scored last in a 28-26 victory in which WSU ultimately had to come from behind to topple the Dragons in an action-packed fourth quarter.
Isaiah Hall exposed the Dragons' suspect return coverage by taking the opening kickoff of Saturday's game 98 yards for a touchdown. Winona State led 14-3 after the first quarter and 20-9 at halftime in what appeared to be a comfortable Warrior lead before the Dragons rallied for a 26-23 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Still trailing with under five minutes left to play, Winona State shined in all three phases to complete its comeback victory. The defense forced a turnover, and the offense picked up a huge chunk of yards to set up Paul Ortiz who connected on the game-winning field goal from 35 yard with 46 seconds left on the clock.
Moorhead took its first lead of the day at the nine-minute mark of the fourth quarter on a lengthy, but brief drive, that covered 75 yards in three minutes. Following the touchdown, and successful two-point conversion for a 26-23 lead, Jake Balliu coughed up an uncharacteristic and costly fumble on the ensuing kickoff return.
The Dragons recovered the fumble in Winona State territory and suddenly had all the momentum with 8:48 left on the game clock in front of their thrilled Homecoming crowd. The Warrior defense was unfazed, however, as the unit made big play after big play down the stretch. With the Dragons already in the red zone, Michael Gomez recorded his first sack of the day on second down and Joe Perhats followed on third down with a game-changing interception – his second of the game.
Following a 46-yard return by Perhats, the Winona State offense pushed into the red zone to set up a game-tying field goal by Ortiz. The senior's 29-yard attempt was blocked, and once again Moorhead had the crowd and momentum on its side.
With 4:10 remaining, the Warrior defense again answered the bell, forcing the Dragons backwards this time. The drive ultimately resulted in a 26-yard loss and safety to cut the Moorhead lead to 26-25 with 1:50 left to play.
Hall, who netted 174 combined return yards in the game, took the ensuing punt back 29 yards to set up the Warriors' game-winning drive at the Moorhead 24-yard line. However, the Winona State drive went backward after a pair of penalties, leading to a 26-yard pitch and catch from Owen Burke to Balliu on second-and-30 which set up Ortiz's game-winning kick.
Gomez put the exclamation point on the eventful fourth quarter with a sack and fumble recovery on third down as the Dragons last gasp was snuffed out.
Burke was solid under center for WSU on Saturday, completing 60 percent of his passes for 220 yards. The junior threw one touchdown and one interception. Burke connected with Balliu in the first quarter for the score on a drive that was highlighted by a 54-yard reception by Tyler Anderson. The junior wideout ended the day with a career-best 101 receiving yards.
Landon Jacobson led the ground attack with 68 yards on 22 attempts. The redshirt junior also caught one pass for 15 yards.
Cole Monckton paced the defense with eight tackles. The Warriors applied pressure all day and recorded six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The Warriors (3-2) return to Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium for Homecoming next week for a 2 p.m. kickoff against Minot State University on Saturday, October 12. Game Day Experience will open on Johnson Street at 11 a.m.
