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Warriors Drop Nailbiter 35-32

Story by: Winona State Sports Information Offiece


MANKATO, MN -- All the final numbers favored Winona State University except the final score, as WSU lost a thriller, 35-32, to Minnesota State University, Mankato in Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference play at Blakeslee Stadium.

MSU scored the winning touchdown with 2:05 to play and then held off the final desperate drive by the Warriors.

The loss spoiled a very efficient day for WSU runningback Andrew Verbancouer, who rushed for four touchdowns on just five rushing attempts. Verbancouer scored on runs of 6, 12, 5 and 5 yards, which came at 5:26 of the final quarter and was the last time the Warriors struck for paydirt.

The MSU Mavericks led 14-7 at the first-quarter break and at halftime before WSU outscored the Mavericks 25-21 in the final 30 minutes of play.

The big difference came on special teams, as WSU failed to convert extra-point attempts three times.

WSU, which came into the game as the NCAA Division II leader in turnover margin, came up with for more turnovers on three interceptions and one fumble recovery. The Warriors then made good use of those turnovers, converting three of them into points. But Minnesota State forced the Warriors into four turnovers of their own and also ran back a kickoff for a touchdown.

Again the Warriors held the difference in most offensive categories -- First downs 24-23; Passing yards 317-296; Total offense 462-447 and only trailed in the final rushing yardage 151-145.

Randy Spring led the Warriors in rushing with 96 yards, Verbancouer finished with 27 yards, while Greg Preston was 16 of 28 for 241 yards and a 28-yard touchdown pass to Tyrre Burks.

Brent Yule was all over the field for the Warriors for ten solo tackles and three assisted for a team-high 13 total tackles, while Lucas Wolf had two of the three interceptions the Warriors came up with and Elliott Gaulke added the other.

(Boxscore)

Last Modified: Sunday, September 28, 2008 2:26 by Michael Herzberg