WINONA, Minn. - A heavyweight fight between two NCAA Division II football contenders was on tap for over 4,000 fans at Winona State University on Saturday, as the unbeaten Warriors hosted the #13 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday.
When the dust settled, the Bulldogs (3-0, 0-0 NSIC North) escaped with a 29-23 win over Winona State (2-1, 0-0 NSIC South) in a great game that was not decided until the final whistle.
Minnesota Duluth started the contest firing on all cylinders, scoring ten points in the opening quarter. The Bulldog's Zach Ojile two-yard dive capped a four play, 71-yard drive for the game's first score. Winona State responded with a first-quarter field goal, as
Jacob Scott connected on a 35-yard effort after a nine-play Warrior drive was halted in the red zone. Scott's three points were the only WSU scoring in the first half, while Minnesota Duluth posted 26 in the opening 30 minutes.
The Warriors found the ground game particularly tough going, rushing for 39 yards in the first half. For the game, factoring in tackles for loss, Winona State was held to net zero rushing yards.
While the run game was off,
Owen Burke was on. He had 239 yards passing, and handful of catchable balls were dropped downfield. His counterpart, John Larson had 206 yards on a 12-of-23 effort. Neither Winona State or UMD had an interception on the day.
For the game, UMD had 14 first downs, compared to 13 for the Warriors, while Winona State won the discipline battle, flagged for just 45 yards on five penalties while the Bulldogs were penalized eight times for 93 yards. Overall, Minnesota Duluth ran for 179 yards, led by former RCTC standout Cazz Martin who had 68 yards on the ground.
While the first half was not Winona State was hoping for, the Warriors went into the locker room with the outcome still in reach and the memory of last week's 27-13 comeback win over Minnesota State - Moorhead. As expected, the Warriors rallied after the break and clawed their way back into the game.
Late in the third, WSU running back
Ty Gavin scored on a ten-yard rumble in which he carried the ball and two Bulldog defenders into the end zone. Although UMD put together a long drive to open the fourth quarter, the Warrior defense held the Bulldogs to a field goal, a stop that proved key to giving the Winona State faithful hope in the late stages of the game.
WSU scored the last 14 points of the contest, with
Jaylen Schleicher scoring on a three-yard TD pass from Burke. The try for two points failed, but the Warriors found themselves at 29-16 and with life late in the game.
After an important defensive stop, highlighted by
Cole LaLiberty and
Carter Duxbury combining to sack Larson on second down, WSU earned the ball back with just under seven minutes to play.
Owen Burke put together another key drive to spark his team. Winona State was knocking on the door and then stepped through when
Ty Gavin scored his second touchdown of the day, and third of the season.
Jacob Scott hit the PAT, pulling WSU to within six points at 29-23.
The final drive of the game for Winona State was sparked by
Sawyer Maly, who raced onto a Burke delivery for 46 yards to the UMD 30. The Warriors picked up another five yards on a toss to
Tyler Knutson. Unfortunately, WSU was unable to connect on its final two chances and turned the ball over on downs. A Bulldog kneel-down later, the game was in the books.
Burke was 19-of-31 for 239 yards and a touchdown, with a longest completion of 46 yards, one of the most important grabs of the game. He was sacked six times on day when both downfield Bulldog coverage and defensive line pressure were distinct factors.
Jake Balliu led Winona State in receiving, making four catches for 32 yards. The speedy senior had 29 yards-after-catch and racked up 84 yards returning kickoffs and punts.
Darryl Williams fired up the Warrior crowd with a 32-yard kickoff return that he nearly broke for a score.
Tyler Knutson and
Ethan Wittenburg were favorite targets on day, with Knutson nabbing four throws and 28 yards, while Wittenburg had three catches for 89 yards, including a 41-yard reception. For the second game in a row,
Sawyer Maly delivered downfield at a key time, making a 46-yard reception in the fourth quarter, the longest Warrior catch of the day.
Jaylen Schleicher had two catches, including a TD.
Devon Moore led the Warrior defense, registering seven tackles, one tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup.
Clay Schueffner had a big game as well with seven stops,
Mitch Snitker was all over the field in his pursuit of seven tackles.
Darius Manuel picked up two TFL's, good for ten yards, while
David Munson had six stops.
The Warrior kicking game performed when called upon, as
Jacob Scott hit a 35-yard field goal and converted both PAT attempts. Punter
Tristan Root racked up 255 yards on five kicks. Impressively, he also managed a tackle on kick coverage.
#13 Minnesota Duluth moves to 3-0 on the year and will take on Wayne State College next weekend. For Winona State, the Warriors move to 2-1 overall and will prepare for their longest road trip of the regular season, as they travel to take on the University of Mary on Saturday, Sept. 25. The battle in Bismarck is set for 2pm.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
