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Warriors Falls Short In Season Opener

Story by: Winona State Sports Information Office


HOUGHTON, MI -- Winona State University fell a little short in its season opener, dropping a 26-21 nonconference decision to Michigan Technology University at Sherman Field.

The Warriors had led 14-6 after scoring 14 points in the second quarter, but the MTU Huskies countered with three unanswered touchdowns for a 26-14 lead early in the final period. WSU was then stopped at the MTU one-yard line later on in the final period before scoring for what proved to be the final scoredwith 1:29 left to play in the game.

Andrew Verbancouer scored the first touchdown of the season for the Warriors when he took a handoff and rumbled seven yards for the tally. Ryan Abbott added the first of his three points from placement.

That scored erased a 6-0 MTU lead and the Warriors then went on to take a 14-6 lead when Amir Ross hooked up with Drew Alexander on a 29-yard pass and catch for a touchdown. But with 53 seconds left in the first half, the Huskies came on to score and trim WSU's lead to 14-13.

MTU continued its scoring with a TD run at the 8:05 mark of the third quarter to take back the lead, 20-14, and then scored its fourth score of the game with a TD pass at 14:54 of the final quarter.

The Warriors did put up more yardage than the Huskies, compiling 394 total yards to 354.

Randy Spring led the WSU rushing attack with 69 yards, while Greg Preston passed for 141 yards and Ross finished with three completions in three attempts for 72 yards.

Tyree Burks was the top receiver for WSU with five catches for 53 yards.

Jared Stahlecker, who tied for WSU tackling honors with eight, came up with a fumble recovery, the only turnover in the game.

(Boxscore)

Last Modified: Saturday, August 30, 2008 16:59 by Michael Herzberg