Box Score CROOKSTON, Minn. - Saturday afternoon's football game between the University of Minnesota Crookston and the Wayne State College (Neb.) Wildcats at Ed Widseth Stadium resulted in a 41-25 defeat for the Golden Eagles. Neither team had a very clean game as the game was marred by turnovers but it was still an entertaining affair. Wayne State used a huge run at the beginning of the second quarter to jump out to a 28-0 run over 5 minutes of play highlighted by a 97 yard touchdown catch by Adam Stark which ultimately helped them to the 41-25 win. The Golden Eagles came out firing after the half bringing the game back to within 15 points, but were not able to sustain the momentum.

Impressing for the Golden Eagles on offense was a group of newcomers. Kyle Larson (Fr., QB, Clayton, Wis.) continues to make strides behind center. He threw for a season-high 258 yards with his primary target being Hawai'ian freshman Justin Tago Su'e (WR, Ewa Beach, Hawai'i). Tago Su'e ended the game with eight catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. A third newcomer, Tommy Smith (So., RB, Naranja, Fla.), took advantage of his opportunity in unconventional fashion. The offense ran a series of end arounds and fakes through Tommy Smith, leading to 38 yards on seven carries for the transfer. In addition, UMC freshman wideout Keoni Piceno (Fr., Wahiawa, Hawai'i) used a huge fourth quarter to finish with three receptions for 88 yards.

On defense the Golden Eagles were led by All-NSIC honorable mention defensive back Tevin Kellum (Sr., DB, Detroit, Mich.) with seven tackles. Aiding Kellum was Brody Davidson (Jr., LB, Crookston, Minn.) and Greg Lofquist (Jr., DL, South St. Paul, Minn.), each contributing a sack.

Countering the production from the Golden Eagle defense was Zach Osborn, the Wayne State quarterback. The Wildcats combined his quick strikes with consistent north and south running from Charlie Davidson to the tune of 459 yards, 207 of which were on the ground.

The Wayne State defense was able to contain the Golden Eagle offense by applying constant pressure on the quarterback. Jeff Van Den Top led the way with one and a half of Wayne State's five sacks. To go along with the pressure, the Wildcats had two interceptions, one from J'Ron Erby and one from Tyson McGill.

Having won the toss, the Golden Eagles elected to receive. The first two Golden Eagle possessions, as well as Wayne State's first drive all resulted in punts.

On their second drive, Wayne State got some offense going, sparked by a big third down catch by Tonev Abraham. Abraham caught the ball in the middle of the field and got loose for 15 yards after the catch. Capping off the drive, freshman quarterback Osborn found fellow freshman Tyler Hoppes in the corner of the endzone.

The Golden Eagles were able to march down the field in their third possession, but were not able to convert the opportunity into points. Keith McBride (Sr., RB, Lodi, Wis.) got the crowd going at the end of a 19 yard rush by running over a Wayne State defender. After succeeding on a fourth down attempt, the Golden Eagle offense stalled following the end of the first quarter. J'Ron Erby intercepted Larson's pass attempt to Marcus Cheatham (Jr., WR, Stockton, Calif.) at the three yard line.

Wayne State continued right where they left off on the previous drive, taking only one play to go 97 yards for a touchdown. Wide receiver Adam Stark got in behind defensive back Lethzee Calderon (So., DB, Eagan, Minn.) and Osborn put it right on the money.

A giveaway on fourth down set up Wayne State deep in Golden Eagle territory. Again, Osborn picked on defensive back Calderon as Cole McDaniel got by him for a score.

A McBride fumble started another Wayne State drive on the Golden Eagle end of the field, this time at the 17 yard line. Davidson put together four runs to punch it in for a 28-0 Wayne State lead.

It took a big play from tight end Jacob Pinder (Jr., TE, Orlando, Fla.) to get the entire Golden Eagles team going again. Larson hooked up with Tago Su'e for his first touchdown catch of his young collegiate career to bring the score to 28-6 in favor of Wayne State.

Utilizing a solid defensive possession, the Golden Eagles held the 28-6 scoreline into the second half.

This is when the trouble began for Wayne State. After a long kick return to start the second half, Wayne State turned the ball over to the Golden Eagles on their first play from scrimmage of the half, recovered by LaMar Daniels (Jr., DL, Toledo, Ohio)

The Golden Eagles used a nine play, 45 yard drive, and two fourth-down conversions to draw the game within 15 points following the Wayne State turnover on a Talo Pascal (So., RB, Arlington, Texas) scamped to pay dirt.


Following a 35 yard Davidson rush, Wayne State lost their second of four fumbles, this one coming deep in UMC territory.

Needing a score to pull the game within one touchdown, Crookston started to drive with two first downs aided by a defensive holding penalty. The offense stalled after a fumbled snap put the Golden Eagles in a tough position for a third-down conversion and they had to punt it away.

After a punt from Wayne State, the Golden Eagles went three-and-out and punted, but Radel muffed the return and Kellum jumped on the loose ball. The good fortune did not last for long as the next play Larson threw an interception to Tyson McGill.

It was another quick drive and punt for Wayne State. Punter Basch put the Golden Eagles in good field position as he shanked the punt for only 13 yards.

After a punt from UMC, Wayne State used a 14 play, 89 yard drive to seemingly put the game out of reach, but Crookston battled back with two quick strikes to Piceno sandwiching another Wayne State fumble to bring the score to 34-25. A missed two-point conversion sealed the fate for the Golden Eagles after Wayne State recovered the onside kick.

Davidson then broke one last run for 35 yards providing insurance for Wayne State and bringing his rushing total to 172 yards on 26 carries.

Saturday was also highlighted by the awarding of the Ed Widseth Scholarships to five deserving UMC football players as Drew McDurmin (Fr., OL, Aiea, Hawai'i), Larson, Nathan Cole (Fr., QB, Aliso Viejo, Calif.), John Mitzel (Fr., OL, Aliso Viejo, Calif.) and Forrest Dunivin (Fr., WR, Las Flores, Calif.) were all awarded $4,000 scholarships. In addition, UMC announced that Bobby Hitchcock (Fr., OL, Dellwood, Minn.) has been awarded the Crookston Chamber Agassiz Bowl Schaolrship for $500.

The Golden Eagles will return to action Sept. 28 as they head to University of Sioux Falls to face the Cougars at 1 p.m.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
           
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