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Amazing Rally Leads To WSU Win

Story by: Winona State Sports Information Office


MOORHEAD, MN -- Winona State University came from behind to score 17 points and then held on for dear life in beating Minnesota State University Moorhead 42-41 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at Alex Nemzek Field.

The Warriors appeared to be down and out when a high snap from center, on a punt situation, sailed out of the endzone for a safety and a 38-22 Moorhead lead with 10:21 left to play.

But the Warriors capitalized on a pair of Dragon turnovers that were turned into points and then used an eight-play, 70-yard, drive to set up a 10-yard run by Alex Wiese to tie the game at 41-all with 39 seconds left into the game. Ryan Abbott came on to convert the all-important extra-point kick to give WSU the lead.

But the game was far from being over a,s on the ensuing series, MSUM marched to the WSU 15, where, with three seconds left to play, the Dragons missed a 34-yard field goal.

Wiese finished the game with 90 yards rushing on 16 attempts for two of four WSU rushing scores. Andrew Verbancourer was very economical with three carries for nine yards and two touchdowns.

Drew Aber put the ball in the air 52 times for WSU, completing 26, for 317 yards and two TDs. Tyree Burkes was on the receiving end of a seven-yard touchdown and Drew Alexander came up with his first collegiate catch, a touchdown coming from ten yards out, in the crucial fourth quarter when the Warriors outscored the Dragons 20-5.

Tyler Perkette came up with the turnovers that led to WSU scores. Both came in the fourth quarter. The first came on a fumble recovery with 9:50 left in the game and the second was an interception with 3:50 to play.

(Boxscore)

Last Modified: Sunday, October 07, 2007 23:37 by Michael Herzberg