Concordia-st. Paul (1-4, 0-3 nsic) struggled to find offensive consistency, falling 28-7 on the road to winona state university (4-1, 3-0 nsic) on saturday afternoon at alltell stadium in winona, minn.

the warriors came up with seven interceptions and five sacks while shutting down the golden bears offense to just 27 rushing yards. Winona state also forced two special teams safeties resulting in four warrior points.

on the second play from scrimmage, winona state jumped on the scoreboard when drew aber connected with scott peters for a 73 yard scoring strike down the sideline.

but the concordia defense kept them in the game until early in the fourth quarter, forcing a pair of turnovers in or near the red zone.

with 2:40 to play in the first half, concordia was trailing 18-0 when lighting crashes forced the officials to delay the game.

nearly an hour later, play resumed and winona state drove down the field and converted a field goal, taking a 7-0 lead into halftime.

concordia's offense managed just one first down in the second quarter after showing signs of a running game and ball control in the first quarter.

concordia got on the scoreboard for the first time in the third quarter when kole goodchild (sr., qb, west bend, iowa) found tyrone ruffin (jr., wr, plymouth, minn.) for an 11 yard touchdown strike. Ruffin went over 100 yards for the third time this season and for the first time since the second week, finishing with seven catches for 104 yards.

while ruffin was back in the 100 yard ranks, goodchild struggled, throwing seven interceptions in the loss. He finished completing 21-36 for 234 yards and led the team in rushing with 32 yards on 14 attempts including a long of 21 that set up the bears only touchdown.

the turning point came following concordia's scoring drive. The bears had winona state backed up for a 2nd and 15 on their own seven yard line.

wsu quarterback drew aber dropped back to pass and in the face of intense concordia pass rush, aber delivered a screen pass to alex wiese for a 14 yard pickup. The warriors converted the 3rd and 1 and marched downfield for wiese's second rushing touchdown, giving wsu a 28-7 lead with 14:54 to play in the game.

the warrior scoring drive was a 12 play, 89 yard march that spanned 5:21 and stole any comeback momentum that was built by the golden bears.

in his second collegiate start, kama johnson (r-fr., rb, brooklyn park, minn.) had nine carries to match his total from the previous week, this time going for 18 yards including a long of 17.

defensively, tim oachs (jr., dl, mankato, minn.) had his second consecutive outstanding performance. Making his first start of the season, oachs racked up 13 tackles, three for loss and had a pass breakup.

wiese led the warrior offense was led by wiese who finished with 24 carries for 124 yards, two rushing touchdowns and racked up 33 receiving yards on three receptions.

aber finished 12-24 for 209 yards and the deep touchdown to peters. Peters would finish with three receptions for 105 yards and his score. Last year, the duo hooked up for all three warrior touchdowns in wsu's 24-17 win at griffin stadium.

the golden bears continue their early season road tripping next saturday when they travel to marshall, minn. To take on southwest minnesota state at 6:00 p.m.

box score - winona state 28, csp 7