UMD Athletics

The No. 14 University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs relied on their Special Teams to pull through for them, and they delivered in a close 9-6 battle against the Winona State Warriors for Military Appreciation Day. The Bulldogs extended their win streak to 12 games against the Warriors with the win.

Both teams struggled to get their offense going in the first quarter, with both opening drives being stopped at midfield. UMD put themselves on the board first with a 26-yard field goal from Drew Henson. Both teams were stopped on the following drives.

Winona State scored the only touchdown of the game in the second quarter, with a Nolan Ginskey touchdown putting the Warriors on the board, however, Winona State would only go up three as the extra point was kicked too low and blocked.

UMD's offense continued to struggle, with a promising drive being cut short due to a high snap. Drew Henson showed off his punting skills when it mattered most, putting Winona State at the 1-yard line twice in the second quarter. The second half ended with Winona holding to a three-point lead, 6-3.

UMD's defense started out hot in the second half, holding Winona State to a three and out, aided by a sack from Caden Healy. The Bulldogs defensive momentum carried to the offense, with four consecutive 10+ yard gains from Joey Flaherty, Derrick Johnson, Ryder Patterson, and Jacob Eggert. However, the drive stalled in the redzone, and UMD settled for a 6-6 tie.

Continuing the momentum, the Bulldogs would force a second three and out on the Warriors, this time with a sack from Ean Ackley. On the following drive, the Bulldogs almost had their first touchdown of the game, but Alex Riley's touchdown run would be taken away by a penalty. A field goal attempt to take the lead missed, and the game remained tied.

Another stop from the defense brought the offense back out for another big drive. Big runs from Eggert and Johnson got the drive going, but the Bulldogs faced some turbulence in Winona State territory, but they kept going. Using some trickery, the Bulldogs faked a field goal, giving Ryder Patterson plenty of room to rush for the first down. However, the Warriors hunkered down, and the Bulldogs would take a real field goal this time. This one would also miss wide, and the game stayed at 6-6.

Another Warriors drive found no success, but Derrick Johnson looked to find some for UMD. An 81-yard touchdown drive almost gave the Bulldogs a crucial lead late, but another penalty took it away, and the Bulldogs got stopped again.

Winona State rushed down the field late, looking for their first win against UMD since 2003. The Warriors looked to take the lead on a 37-yard field goal, but this one too got blocked, keeping the game knotted up at six apiece.

UMD wasted no time moving down the field, searching for a score of any kind to win the game. Jacob Eggert and Ryder Patterson helped the Bulldogs move into field goal position again, and as the time on the clock expired, Drew Henson would make his third field goal of the night to give the Bulldogs a 9-6 victory.

Bulldog Notes:

• The Bulldogs are now 40-10 all-time against Winona State, and now hold a 12-game winning streak against the Warriors.

• This is the lowest scoring win for UMD since 1992 (9-0 vs. Northern State).

• The Bulldogs vastly outgained the Warriors (400-189)

• UMD dominated in possession time (38:24-21:36)

• The Bulldogs running game came from a variety of players, with three Bulldogs eclipsing 50 rushing yards.

• Allen Pearson Jr. led the way on defense, with seven tackles, and 3.5 tackles for loss.

The Bulldogs take to the road for their next game, visiting the Minnesota State, Moorhead Dragons on September 26th. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. CST.