The Morningside Mustangs gave up a 14 point lead only to score the go ahead touchdown with 8:06 remaining in the game to hold on for a 21-14 win over the Dana Vikings.  The win takes Morningside to 8-2, 8-2 GPAC.  The Vikings finish their season 6-5.

After a scoreless first quarter, defensive back Ryan Oetken got the Mustangs on the board in the second quarter with a 63 yard interception return for a touchdown.  Morningside tacked on a 20 yard touchdown run by quarterback Tim Richard with 5:33 remaining in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead into the half.

On the first series of the second half, Viking linebacker Shaun O’Connell (SR, Omaha, NE) forced a Mustang football on the Morningside 38 yard line.  The turnover led to a Matt Neesen (SR, Omaha, NE) 6 yard touchdown run that completed a 6 play drive for the Vikings.

Dana again got a short field in the third quarter when Morningside muffed a punt that was recovered by the Vikings at the Mustang 9 yard line.  Three plays later Viking quarterback Marcus Sladek (SO, Omaha, NE) found wide receiver Albert Allen (FR, Omaha, NE) in the corner of the end zone on a seven yard touchdown pass.

The winning score for Morningside came on a 1 yard run by running back Pete Lewis.  The run capped off a seven play, 51 yard drive.

Dana had the ball two more times in the game but was unable to threaten the Mustangs.

Dana’s Matt Neesen led the Vikings in rushing with 52 yards on 19 carries including a touchdown.  Viking quarterback Marcus Sladek completed 20 of 35 passes for 120 yards.  Dana receiver Albert Allen caught 8 passes for 49 yards and a score.

Defensively, the Vikings were led by linebacker Mike Buchanan (SR, Omaha, NE) who had 9 total tackles and Shaun O’Connell who had 8 total tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.  Morningside Pete Lewis carried the ball 33 times for 144 yards and a touchdown.  Mustang quarterback Tim Richard was 13 of 25 passing for 94 yards.  Richard also ran for 21 yards.

For more information, contact:


Shad Beam, sports information director, (402) 426-7389, sbeam@dana.edu

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Scott Guzinski, assistant Sports Information Director, (402) 426-7949, sguzinsk@dana.edu