Erin Cochran/Winonan

The Winona State Warriors defeated Concordia, St. Paul on Saturday 49-31 in the team’s last regular season game at Verizon Wireless Stadium.

In the first, the Golden Bears quickly scored and brought the score to 10-0. This was the only time the team would be ahead as the Warriors scored 42 consecutive points.

“Concordia, St. Paul came in with a 2-8 record so of course they didn’t look like that much of a threat on paper but a record can be deceiving,” said Defensive Lineman Colin McGuire. “They got some early points but this team has combated much worse and we pulled it out.”

“They came out with a lot of energy and were hyped up for the game that’s for sure,” said wide receiver Sean Hertz. “They wanted to knock us out for the potential of heading to the playoffs but we pulled it together and ended on a winning record.”

John Teigland completed 18-of-29 passes, totaling 206 yards through the air.

Hertz scored twice from completed passes, as did Rayon Simmons and Josh Mikes.

Tyler Speer had four catches for 47 yards, but Hertz led with five for a total of 84 yards.

Simmons rushed for 184 yards and scored two touchdowns.  He was able to clinch two records during his final senior year home game.  Simmons’ total yardage for this season is up to 1,588, which solidified the Winona State and NSIC most yards gained in a single season record.

The Winona State defense also impressed by sacking the Golden Bear quarterback five times.

The team recorded 12 tackles for loss of the day.

Ryan Williams and Larry Mbayu led the team with nine tackles for the day.

Darby Lundy and Pat Lazzara also impressed with grabbing Golden Bear passes for game-changing interceptions.

“This wasn’t the most explosive performance I’ve seen from the defense I know, but they played hard when it called for it and overall did an okay job,” said Sawyer.

Concordia, St. Paul scored late in the fourth but would still come up short.

“Though we would have hoped for them not to score that late and wanted the point gap to be bigger, the final score is all that matters and it turned out how we wanted,” said Hertz.

Winona State finished the regular season with a winning record of 9-2. The only losses this season were to the top two teams, Minnesota State Mankato and University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I really don’t feel bad about losing to the top two teams,” said Sawyer. “They are top contenders but we put up a fight and didn’t just hand over those wins. I feel great about this season and this record. You win nine games in this hard of a league, you better feel good about that.”

Though Saturday was the Warriors’ last home game of the season, they will get another chance to play come Dec. 1 against Lindenwood University in the Mineral Water Bowl.

“I have never been to a 12th game and that was the goal this whole season,” said Simmons. “We are at a point in our talent and cohesiveness as a team that we could play against any team. I couldn’t be more proud of my teammates, coaches and all the hard work that has gone into this season.”

Lindenwood ended their regular season 8-3, winning their final game 38-13 over Truman State University.

This is the first time since 2007 that the Warriors have gone past 7-4. In Sawyer’s time at Winona State, the team has won at least nine games, eight times.

“We are a better football team overall this year than the ‘07 team,” said Sawyer. “We are better overall, this league is better and tougher and we’re all playing a higher level of football.”

This is the eighth postseason appearance for the Warriors and their third trip to the Mineral Water Bowl.

This bowl game has a history of being thrillers requiring multiple overtimes. In 2000 the Warriors defeated Missouri Westerm 43-41 in triple overtime, but lost to Emporia State in triple overtime 34-27 in 2002.

Contact Erin at [email protected].