Box Score There are only four NCAA Division II clubs that will close out the 2015 postseason on a winning note. Count the University of Minnesota Duluth among them.

Sophomore Karl Finkel sealed the deal for the Bulldogs when he sacked Forth Hays State University quarterback Treveon Albert on a fourth-and-10 situation in the final 1:41 of play, giving UMD a 30-22 victory in the 50th annual Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo. With the win, their eighth in the last nine games, the reigning eight-time Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference North Division champion Bulldogs concluded the year at 9-3 overall.

UMD did an exceptional job -- to say the least -- of keeping the ball out of the Tigers' hands in the first-ever meeting between the two teams. The Bulldogs set a school single-game record for time of possession (44:10 compared to 15:50 for Fort Hays State) and a 2015 high for total plays with 86 -- nearly double the Tigers' output (44). Fort Hayes State (8-4), a member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association which was making its first postseason appearance of any kind since 1995, was held to a season-low 181 total yards of offense.

Sophomore Nate Ricci, who is now 3-0 as a start since replacing injured junior quarterback Drew Bauer, three a pair of touchdown passes, including a one-yard toss to freshman tight end Tyler Lattery late in the first half that put the Bulldogs in the lead for good at 17-14. Senior Andrew Brees added a career-tying three field goals (45, 37 and 32 yards) while nose tackle-turned fullback Jonathan Harden closed out the UMD scoring with his fourth touchdown of the year (from one-yard out) that put the Bulldogs up 30-14 with just 4:36 to go in the fourth quarter. Fort Hays State's Daniel Lindsey returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards for a score and, following a three-and-out by UMD, took over with 2:09 on the clock. Four plays later, however, Finkel and the Bulldogs quashed any Tiger comeback plans.
 

Ricci was voted the Mineral Water Bowl Offensive Player of the Game after setting personal passing bests for completions (15), attempts (25), yards (123) and touchdowns. Junior running back Darren Walker rushed 31 times for a 126 yards to lead the Bulldogs while Albert held that honor for the Tigers (67 yards on 14 carries with one of those runs going for 72 yards and a touchdown).  UMD, whih the has given up just 41 total points and an average of 174.3 overall yards while going unbeaten over the last three games, finished with 302 yards of total offense.

Sophomore linebacker Zach Bassuener (six tackles, including a pair for a loss), senior linebacker Brent Stiglich (five tackles and a forced fumble) and Finkel (five tackles and the team's lone sack of the afternoon) paced the Bulldogs defensively.

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