Nov. 14, 1998

The Wolves proved the NSIC is not a one-horse conference after bucking Winona State off a 17-game win streak with a 40-35 win over the Warriors in the Metrodome Classic Saturday night.

Coming into the game, WSU was the red-hot team turning heads after successfully defending its conference title, earning the sixth slot in the highly competitive Midwest Region rankings and riding a 17-game winning streak. In the meantime, NSU was the team thought to be simmering along and making improvements after taking second in the NSIC, riding a six-game winning streak and ranked 10th in the region (the school's first-ever ranking under the NCAA II Midwest Region).

But on the turf in the Metrodome, it was the Wolves who boiled over. Sophomore running back Tyrone Morgan (Wichita Falls, Texas) was NSU's top dog once again, rushing a school-record 51 times for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

The game was a microcosm of NSU's season. The start: slow. WSU showed the firepower that has won them two straight conference titles by opening up a 21-0 lead early and for awhile NSU looked to be on the way to another shellacking at the hands of the Warriors like the 42-17 beating the Wolves took during homecoming. But in the same manner NSU used after the homecoming game with a record of 1-3 to reel off six and what would be seven straight wins, the Wolves clawed their way back into the game. The ingredient: heart. After tying the score at 21-21 with a blocked punt and 21-yard return for a touchdown by Motulalo Otuafi (Fernley, Nev.), the Wolves proved they could play with anyone by exchanging blows with a ranked and recognized Division II heavyweight. The finish: frantic. Despite a late charge by the Warriors, the Wolves extended their win streak to seven while halting WSU's national-best mark at 17. Although this game didn't count in the conference standings, it will undoubtedly be the game most talked about heading into the conference season next year, as the young Wolves look to build on this season's second-place finish (8-3 overall record, 5-1 conference). The future: bright.