2008 Woodie Awards
Tough loss for football
Andy Zweber
Issue date: 11/2/05 Section: Sports
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The Southwest Minnesota State University football team had their final home game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 29, losing to Concordia-St. Paul 17-21. The loss drops the Mustang's record to 4-6 overall, 1-5 in the conference; however, the game itself was one of the more exciting matches of the season.
The game was decided in the last minute on the last offensive drive for SMSU. The Mustangs drove 74 yards on 11 plays to reach Concordia's ten-yard line, which set up a first and goal. Senior running back Chase Hillesheim gained two yards on first down, which moved the ball to the eight-yard line. Mustang quarterback Josh Shudlick followed with an incomplete pass and a two-yard run to set up a fourth and goal from the six-yard line. Shudlick's failed pass attempt to freshman receiver Ross DeMasi on fourth down sealed the victory for the Golden Bears from Concordia.
SMSU, who trailed 14-3 midway through the second quarter, scored with 40 seconds left in the first half on a 14-yard DeMasi touchdown reception, cutting the lead 14-10. The Mustangs then took the lead with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Shudlick.
Concordia stormed back behind All-American quarterback James McNear with a nine-play, 69-yard drive capped off by the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tyrone Ruffin. With the win, Concordia improves to 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the conference, which sets the stage for a great game between first-place Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul at the Metrodome this Saturday.
The Mustang's final regular season game at the Metrodome this Saturday against Northern State (5-5, 4-2), with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m.
The game was decided in the last minute on the last offensive drive for SMSU. The Mustangs drove 74 yards on 11 plays to reach Concordia's ten-yard line, which set up a first and goal. Senior running back Chase Hillesheim gained two yards on first down, which moved the ball to the eight-yard line. Mustang quarterback Josh Shudlick followed with an incomplete pass and a two-yard run to set up a fourth and goal from the six-yard line. Shudlick's failed pass attempt to freshman receiver Ross DeMasi on fourth down sealed the victory for the Golden Bears from Concordia.
SMSU, who trailed 14-3 midway through the second quarter, scored with 40 seconds left in the first half on a 14-yard DeMasi touchdown reception, cutting the lead 14-10. The Mustangs then took the lead with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by Shudlick.
Concordia stormed back behind All-American quarterback James McNear with a nine-play, 69-yard drive capped off by the game-winning 32-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tyrone Ruffin. With the win, Concordia improves to 8-2 on the season and 5-1 in the conference, which sets the stage for a great game between first-place Winona State and Concordia-St. Paul at the Metrodome this Saturday.
The Mustang's final regular season game at the Metrodome this Saturday against Northern State (5-5, 4-2), with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m.