Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

Winona State University's Newspaper since 1919

The Winonan

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Warriors build winning streak to five with Homecoming victory

Senior Richard Lilla celebrates a touchdown for the Warriors.  BARTHOLOME RONDET
Senior Richard Lilla celebrates a touchdown for the Warriors.
BARTHOLOME RONDET

Sam Thiel/Winonan

A cold and rainy Saturday couldn’t douse the red-hot Winona State University football team as the Warriors slid by Wayne State in dramatic fashion for a 45-41 Homecoming victory in Winona.

With just 1:07 left, Winona State took control of the ball down by three, 41-38, after a Wayne State score from Zach Osborn to Grant Otten gave the Wildcats their first advantage. The Warriors answered right away, with Jack Nelson finding Chichi Ojika on a screen pass where the fast-footed senior took it 65 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

Ojika had another impressive performance, recording 101 rushing yards on the game as well as receiving two passes for 72 yards. He has now passed the 100-yard marker rushing in four of his last five games.

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Nelson also had an outstanding game, completing 75 percent of his passes (21-of-28) including passing for 347 yards and five scores. The freshman quarterback’s total yards are a career best, while his five touchdowns fell just one short of the school’s single game record.

It was a close game in its entirety, with the Warriors creating a 12-point advantage, 38-26, towards the end of the third quarter after Nelson connected with tight end Alex Jensen for a 16-yard score.

Wayne State pulled to within five, 38-33, after running back Charlie Davidson found the end zone from 57 yards out to close out the third quarter.

The fourth quarter would remain scoreless until the final minutes, with Wayne State taking the lead 41-38, with just 1:07 remaining in the ballgame. After the ensuing kickoff landed out of bounds, the Warriors took possession of the ball at their own 35-yard line with one final opportunity to score in the final 60 seconds. The Warriors only needed one play, with Ojika twisting and turning his way past the Wildcat defenders en route to the end zone for the game-winning score.

Jensen led the Warrior receivers with four catches for 42 yards and a couple of touchdowns, while Alan May, Josh Mikes and Tony Mueller each collected three catches for Winona State. Mikes recorded the Warriors’ first score of the day, his sixth touchdown of the year. Freshman Cameron Johnson was also a recipient of a Nelson touchdown pass, making it three for Johnson of the year.

Defensively, the Warriors were able to get to Osborn four times, with Collin Corcoran posting two. Morgan Weaver and William Sherard also netted sacks while AJ Shipp broke up six Wildcat passes. Patrick Lazzara led tackling with 11 while Weaver had 7 for Winona State.

Winona State, now 5-2 overall, will return to the gridiron Oct. 26 when it travels to Mankato to square off with the undefeated Minnesota State, Mankato Mavericks.

 

Contact Sam at [email protected]

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