Box Score Box Score

WINONA, Minn. – A 54-yard touchdown pass from John Teigland to Rayon Simmons set the tone for a quick paced first half as Winona State raced out to a 44-6 lead at the half. The Golden Eagles would hold Winona State to only 14 second-half points but were unable to produce on the scoreboard as they fell 58-6 to Winona State in the first game of the season for both Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference schools. The University of Minnesota, Crookston falls to 0-1 on the season and in the NSIC with the loss to Winona State in head coach Paul Miller's first game at the helm of the Golden Eagle program.
 
After Simmons' touchdown reception, the Golden Eagles were able to knot up the score after Marcus Galan (Sr., DB, Pico Rivera, Calif.) intercepted Teigland and returned the ball 85 yards. After a failed extra point by Stephen Henderson (Sr., TE, Chatsworth, Calif.), the score was 6-6.
 
Winona State's quick-strike offense continued as they would score three touchdowns in four minutes to make it 27-6 at the end of the first quarter. Chichi Ojika started the scoring for the Warriors with a 30-yard touchdown run. Their second score in four minutes came on an eight-yard touchdown pass from Teigland to Sean Hertz. The final score of the first quarter came as Jay Adams took a reverse 56 yards to the end zone.
 
The Warriors extended the lead to 34-6 in the second quarter after an eight-yard touchdown run by 2011 NSIC South Division First Team pick Simmons. Winona State would add 10 more points in the first half as Bryan Bradshaw completed a 57-yard touchdown pass to Alan May.
 
After a fumble by Golden Eagle quarterback Derek Stewart II (Fr., Carson, Calif.), the Warriors looked poised to go into the end zone again but the UMC defense held to force a Jake Vercher field-goal attempt. Vercher's kick was blocked by Brody Davidson (So., LB, Crookston, Minn.) to keep the Warriors off the scoreboard.
 
Winona State would be able to add a field goal to conclude the second quarter after Vercher hit a 43 yarder.
 
The UMC defense stepped up in the second half holding Winona State to 14 points after giving up 44 in the first half.
 
Winona State's Simmons scored on a four-yard touchdown run, his third score of the day, to put the Warriors up 51-6. The Warriors would solidify the victory with their final touchdown, a nine-yard touchdown pass from Bradshaw to Josh Mikes.
 
The Warriors were led offensively by Simmons, who accumulated 81 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns rushing and one reception for 54 yards and a touchdown. Teigland and Bradshaw split time at quarterback for Winona State. Teigland was 7-of-11 for 124 yards and two touchdowns while Bradshaw was 6-of-10 for 117 yards and a touchdown. May led the Warriors in receiving with two catches for 72 yards.
 
Stewart II got most of the time at quarterback after relieving A.J. Barge (So., QB, Carrollton, Ga.) following the first quarter. Stewart seemed more effective in moving the football after the offense struggled early on under Barge. Stewart was 9-of-19 for 87 yards and one interception. Barge was 3-of-6 for 29 yards passing and an interception. 2011 NSIC North Division First Team pick Richard Haley (Sr., RB, Detroit, Mich.) led the Golden Eagles with 75 yards on 16 carries. Keith McBride (Sr., RB, Lodi, Wis.) returned from an injury-filled season in 2011 to rush for 25 yards on 11 carries. Henderson led UMC in receiving with four receptions for 56 yards.
 
The Golden Eagles were outgained offensively 468 to 188 and had three turnovers to just one for the Warriors.
 
Cecil Brown Jr. (Sr., DB, Edison, Ga.) led the Golden Eagle defense with 11 tackles while Greg Lofquist (So., DL, South St. Paul, Minn.) had seven tackles. Galan interception was the lone turnover forced on Winona State.
 
20 newcomers saw the field on Thursday for the University of Minnesota, Crookston.
 
The University of Minnesota, Crookston football team will return to action next weekend as they will begin its home season at Ed Widseth Field at 1 p.m. versus Concordia University, St. Paul.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
 
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).