The Concordia football season ended Saturday afternoon at the Metrodome after a 49-41 loss to Winona State. They finish the season with a 7-4 overall record, including 5-3 in the NSIC.

The game featured the top two offenses in the NSIC, with Winona State averaging 485 yards per contest and Concordia 461.1. The squads also featured the top defenses statistically, but they were overshadowed.

Winona State finished with 483 yards, with the most crucial possibly being the 19 yards that Alex Wiese went with 1:15 remaining to clinch the game. However, Eric Kraus hit the upright on the extra point to give Concordia one final chance.

Three James McNear completions got the Golden Bears to the Winona State 29 with less than a minute remaining. McNear then dropped back and fumbled, but Aaron Cawthorn wisely scooped up the ball and ran to the Warrior 10. However, an illegal block brought the play back. After a sack by Winona State, a desperation heave came up empty.

That final Concordia pass was far different from most attempts from Warrior quarterback Ryan Eversman to Samp. The pair hooked up on scores of 43 and 54 yards in the first quarter, and 11 yards just before halftime. Samp finished the game with seven catches for 201 yards. Eversman finished 16-of-33 for 322 yards.

McNear finished the game completing 19-29 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 88 yards and another touchdown.

Things looked good for Concordia early as Sam Blocker scored from 14 yards out barely two minutes into the game, but Winona State scored the next 23 points. Blocker ended with 74 yards rushing.

Concordia responded with two touchdown passes from James McNear early in the second quarter to cut the lead to 23-19. The junior found Montez Bridgeforth for an 18-yard score and Wesley Hill for a 9-yard score.

Samp's third touchdown -- from 11 yards out -- came with 1:05 left in the first half. A 7-yard Khamratthanome run was sandwiched between two Concordia scores -- a 2-yard Cawthorn run and a 22-yard Antwon Williams reception -- for the lone Warrior points of the third quarter.

Senior Brian Doyle led the Concordia defense with 16 tackles, while Travis Mellor added 13.