Adam Kirk / Winonan
Winona State University’s football team continued their perfect record at home with a win against No. 19 ranked and rival Minnesota State University, Mankato.
In his first game back from injury, junior kicker Carter McCauley made the game-winning field goal as time expired to cap off the Warriors’ run of 10 unanswered points.
McCauley had missed the previous game due to a hamstring injury that has bothered him all year. Coach Sawyer said he’s about 80 percent healthy.
McCauley said he was not sure whether or not he was going to play. He added there is a distinct sound the ball makes when it comes off his foot and he could tell he was ready to contribute this week.
In the first quarter, the Warriors scored the only two touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Will Claussen scored first on a 47-yard pass from senior quarterback Jack Nelson.
Senior defensive back Sir’Vegias Steele forced an interception and Winona capitalized on the following possession with a six-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to senior tight end Nick Margiotta.
The Warriors got another interception from first year defensive back Cam Gavin. They went on to add a field goal early in the second quarter. After that it was all Mavericks, scoring 17 consecutive points to tie the game before the half.
After a special teams miscue by Winona State’s punting unit, the Mavericks got good field position early in the third quarter. Junior safety Andrew Spencer forced a fumble on fourth down that was recovered by junior defensive line player Lauden Wood.
The Warriors capitalized on the turnover with points. Nelson found junior fullback Zach Olstad for a 20-yard touchdown that was setup with senior running back Paul Preston’s 54-yard reception on the previous play.
Minnesota State answered back before the end of the quarter to tie the game at 24 heading into the fourth.
After a one-yard touchdown pass the Mavericks took their first lead of the game.
The Warriors went on an 83-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Cameron Johnson to tie the game at 31. Johnson led the Warriors with seven catches for 106 yards, extending his touchdown streak to six consecutive games with a touchdown.
“Big time players make big time plays at big time moments and Cam is one of those guys. He’s done it his whole career and he did it again tonight.” Coach Sawyer said referring to Johnson.
Nelson added, “Whenever a play needs to be made I know I can trust [Cam]. I’ll throw it in his area and he’ll go up and make a play.”
The Mavericks got the ball back with two and a half minutes to go and the Warriors defense forced a three and out.
Junior linebacker Mike Imperiale came up with a big sack.
“We had a feeling that if he didn’t see his first read he was going to pull it and run so as soon as I saw him took the ball I sprinted at him and made the tackle,” Imperiale said.
Nelson found Johnson two more times on the game’s final possession to McCauley’s field goal from 29 yards out. The Warriors won in the last three seconds, scoring 34-31.
Winona State will go on the road to play Upper Iowa University Saturday at 2 p.m. as they continue NSIC play.
-By Adam Kirk
