DULUTH, Minn. — Winona State football battled No. 14 Minnesota Duluth down to the final seconds Saturday afternoon before the Bulldogs connected on a 37-yard field goal as time expired to hand the Warriors a heartbreaking 9-6 loss at James S. Malosky Stadium.
The Warriors (1-3, 1-2 NSIC) held Minnesota Duluth (3-1, 3-0 NSIC) to just nine points and three field goals, but the Bulldogs' final drive proved decisive. Winona State finished the afternoon with 189 yards of total offense, while Minnesota Duluth totaled 400 yards and controlled the clock for 38:24.
Jackson Flottmeyer completed 16 of 25 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown while adding 30 rushing yards on six carries. Nolan Ginskey led the Warriors through the air with seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown, while Jake Schultz added three catches for 35 yards and Deion Prolo hauled in a 32-yard reception.
Defensively, Patrick Curtin led all Warriors with 13 tackles, including 11 solo stops. Brent Jeske followed with 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Kevin Lewis added eight tackles. Blake Schraufnagel recorded eight tackles and Winona State's lone sack, bringing down Jacob Eggert for a 13-yard loss.
Minnesota Duluth opened the scoring with a 26-yard field goal from Drew Henson with 4:00 remaining in the first quarter. The Bulldogs marched 71 yards on nine plays during the 4:42 drive to take a 3-0 lead.
Winona State answered with the only touchdown of the game. After Minnesota Duluth turned the ball over on downs at its own 43-yard line, the Warriors marched 43 yards on nine plays. Flottmeyer connected with Ginskey for an 8-yard touchdown with 9:31 remaining in the half. The Warriors attempted to extend the lead, but the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving Winona State ahead 6-3.
The Bulldogs tied the game with a field goal from Henson. Minnesota Duluth covered 75 yards on nine plays during the 5:03 drive before settling for the 26-yard field goal to make it 6-6. Henson later missed a 43-yard field goal with 1:20 remaining in the quarter, keeping the game tied
Both defenses continued to keep the game within one score. Minnesota Duluth reached the Winona State 13-yard line midway through the fourth quarter before Henson missed a 30-yard field goal with 8:14 remaining.
The Warriors then moved into Minnesota Duluth territory, but the Bulldogs forced a punt and took over with 6:12 remaining. After another defensive stop gave Winona State possession at the UMD 37, the Warriors' final scoring opportunity ended when Evan Swanstrom's 37-yard field-goal attempt was blocked with 2:48 remaining.
Minnesota Duluth took over at its own 20-yard line and drove 60 yards on 10 plays. Eggert converted a key third-down opportunity with a 9-yard run before Derrick Johnson lost a yard on the next play. With the clock at zero, Henson drilled a 37-yard field goal to give the Bulldogs the 9-6 victory.
Checking the Box Score
- Jackson Flottmeyer: 16-of-25 passing, 129 yards, one touchdown; 30 rushing yards.
- Nolan Ginskey: seven receptions, 41 yards, one touchdown.
- Jake Schultz: three receptions, 35 yards.
- Deion Prolo: one reception, 32 yards.
- Patrick Curtin: 13 tackles, 11 solo.
- Brent Jeske: 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss.
- Kevin Lewis: eight tackles.
- Blake Schraufnagel: eight tackles, one sack for 13 yards.
- Winona State: 189 total yards, 60 rushing and 129 passing.
- Minnesota Duluth: 400 total yards, 252 rushing and 148 passing.
- Winona State held Minnesota Duluth to three field goals and no touchdowns.
- The Warriors committed no turnovers.
Up Next
Winona State returns home Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Warriors host Augustana at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
