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On a play indicative of CSP quarterback Kole Goodchild’s day in purple purgatory, the preseason Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference offensive player of the year scrambled from one sideline to the other and back again before lofting an interception into the waiting arms of WSU defensive back Kenzie Yewman.
It was Goodchild’s seventh interception and gave the Warriors’ defense a share of the school record for most interceptions in a game — a record set in 1949 against Mankato State.
After a 57-minute weather delay, two WSU safeties and enough personal fouls to walk off three-quarters of the field with penalty yards, the history was lost on even the history makers themselves.
“Actually we were talking about how many (interceptions) we had,” WSU safety Craig Martindale said. “I think we missed a few. We thought we only had four or five. I had no idea that was the record.”
Turns out they had forgotten Brent Yule’s interception on Goodchild’ Hail Mary to end the first half.
After that, said Martindale, “they just started adding up, I guess.”
The Warriors’ defensive front, which came into the game with two sacks in four games, had six sacks against CSP (1-4, 0-3), including 2½ each from Kyle Wiuff and Ryan Rothwell.
“We’re getting our assignments down,” Rothwell said. “We’re getting more confidence. It’s like a big snowball. It keeps going and going, getting better every week.”
The Warriors’ defense has firmed considerably after a rough start to the season. Last Saturday, WSU beat Upper Iowa 41-0 for their first shutout of the season. Still, the Warriors went into the CSP game allowing an average of 483.5 yards and 30 points per game.
WSU has allowed 266.5 yards and 3.5 points over its past two games.
“We’ve kind of calmed down (on defense),” Martindale said. “Got in sync with everybody that’s playing. We’ve come together quite a bit as a team.”
WSU defensive coordinator Matt Entz agreed there hasn’t been a magic cure or quick fix solution.
“We played a lot of young kids early. With time comes experience,” Entz said. “It’s really nothing I’ve said or done, it comes down to our players. They’re working extremely hard. It’s their desire to be a good football team and keep things going.”
Martindale and Yewman had two interceptions apiece. Yule, Zachary Voight and Tony Hill had the others.
Yule led the team with 10 tackles but was forced off the field with an apparent foot injury. Entz said the injury was not serious.
WSU scored on two safeties, although both came courtesy of special teams. Twice, CSP’s long snapper chased his punter into the Golden Bears’ end zone with high snaps.
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winona fan wrote on Oct 1, 2007 7:51 PM: