Sam Thiel/Winonan

Freshman quarterback Jack Nelson had a strong outing in his collegiate debut, but the Winona State University football team dropped its second game of the season as the Warriors fell to St. Cloud State 29-26 Saturday at Husky Stadium.

After St. Cloud recorded the first score of the game, Nelson began his career as a Warrior in an impressive fashion, completing the first six passes he threw, including a 54-yard heave to Josh Mikes for a touchdown on just his second throw in a Warrior uniform.

“I think that our line did a great job with the pass blocking, and we were able to do some things through the air even with the rain,” Nelson said. “I was just calling the play that was called and going out there trying to make a play and having fun! Just playing the game I love.”

On the Warriors’ next drive, a 62-yard run by Paul Preston all the way to the one-yard line helped set up a Jordan Kos score on the very next play, giving Winona State a 14-6 advantage, which would end up being the score at the half.

Husky quarterback Phillip Klaphake tied the game up in the third quarter with a seven-yard strike to Dan Brown and successfully got the two-point conversion to go.

St. Cloud took a 21-14 advantage right away in the fourth quarter, thanks to a three-yard run by Michael Walker. Winona State’s offense quickly answered with a one-yard quarterback sneak by Nelson; however, a missed extra point kept the score at 21-20 in favor of the Huskies.

With just four minutes left in the contest, Klaphake lost control of a pitch and Turrell Foster scooped it up and took it 33 yards for the score to give the Warriors a 26-21 lead. St. Cloud answered with a game-winning touchdown drive ending with a six-yard run by Klaphake with 43 seconds on the clock.

Nelson finished his debut 16-of-29 for 228 yards including a passing and rushing touchdown. Paul Preston was the leader in the ground game for Winona State, recording 66 yards on eight carries, while Mikes got 74 receiving yards and a score. The sophomore receiver has now posted a touchdown in the last six games for the Warriors.

On the defensive end, Morgan Weaver led the charge for the Warriors, recording 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. AJ Shipp and Collin Corcoran each posted six tackles as well for the Warriors.
Winona State (0-2) comes back home Saturday, Sept. 21 when it squares off against Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Stadium.

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