The bowl invitation is pending the NCAA Playoff announcement, which will be aired on ESPN News on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. eastern. Should the Northern Sun send their top-three teams to the NCAA Super Region 3 playoffs, Concordia is in the driver's seat for the bowl bid. They finished in sole possession of fourth place in the final NSIC Overall Standings with a strong 7-3 record.
Only three teams in the history of Concordia football have won more than eight games (9-1 in 1977; 9-2 in 2002; 9-3 in 2005) and this is the third team to post an eight-win season (8-3 in 2001; 8-4 in 2003). If they receive the Mineral Water Bowl invitation, it will be the third time in school history the team will compete in postseason play, joining the 2003 and 2005 teams that also went to the Mineral Water Bowl, where they are 0-2 all-time (both against Missouri Western).
In today's game, Concordia and SMSU combined to turn the ball over seven times, with Concordia edging SMSU in the turnover column with three lost fumbles while the Mustangs turned the ball over four times on fumbles. The teams also combined for 22 penalties and 248 yards, with Concordia committing 15 penalties for 158 yards - both season-highs. At one point in the third quarter, Concordia turned a first and goal at the eight yard line into a fourth and goal from the 43 yard line due to penalties.
However, Concordia showed the mark of a good football team as they overcame their mistakes on the road to pull out the victory. They rushed for 213 yards on 40 attempts with three ground touchdowns and held SMSU to just 16 rushing yards on 41 attempts and held them under 200 yards of total offense in the game.
Concordia jumped out to a quick lead on the opening possession of the game as junior running back Sam Campbell (Cary, Ill.) bolted into the end zone for a two yard touchdown to cap a seven play, 58 yard drive just over three minutes into play.
They scored again early in the second quarter when redshirt freshman quarterback James Peterson (Blaine, Minn.) reached the end zone for his second rushing score of the season from 18 yards out. On SMSU's next possession, Concordia forced their first safety of the season to take a 16-0 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Concordia stayed one step ahead of the Mustangs who were attempting to comeback. A third quarter Steven King(Johnston, Iowa) field goal from 22 yards out pushed the lead to 19-0, officially a "three-score" margin. It was King's seventh field goal of the season.
The Mustangs finally scored with 52 seconds left in the third quarter but failed to convert the two-point conversion.
On the ensuing kickoff, SMSU recovered their onside kick attempt at the 50 yard line and seemed to have momentum.
But on the third play of the drive, a first and 10 from the CU 27 yard line, SMSU quarterback Tyler Peschong was sacked by junior safety Jake Vann (Plymouth, Minn.) who knocked the ball loose on the sack. Senior defensive end Luke Malinowski (Circle Pines, Minn.) recovered for Concordia at their own 35, ending the SMSU threat early in the fourth quarter.
And while Concordia's offense continued to scuffle in the second half, the defense held strong. Finally, junior quarterback Spencer Ohm (Blooming Prairie, Minn.) connected with senior Calvin Simon (Shakopee, Minn.) for a 10-yard touchdown strike with just over five minutes remaining, pushing the lead to 25-6.
The Ohm touchdown pass also tied the single season record, his 22nd TD strike of the season, tying Mike Allen's 2002 record. Simon hauled in his 20th career touchdown reception, and fifth of the 2010 season in just six games.
While SMSU would score again and convert a two-point conversion, a late rushing touchdown from two yards out by Ohm sealed the victory.
Ohm finished the day passing 14-22 for 126 yards and a touchdown and was not intercepted. He also rushed six times for 52 yards. Peterson, who earned playing time because of his running ability and the poor weather conditions, rushed nine times for a team high 84 yards and the 18 yard touchdown scamper. He completed two of his three passes for 15 yards as well.
Campbell paced the ground attack by grinding out 15 attempts for 70 yards including his seventh rushing touchdown (ninth total touchdown) of the year.
Campbell also led the receivers with four catches for 39 yards including a long of 21 and had another 100-yard all-purpose performance with 108 yards on 19 touches.
Peschong was stifled to 15-39 passing for 180 yards and was sacked six times. Warren Matthews led SMSU's run game with 20 attempts for 53 yards, a 2.7 average.
CU's defense was led by senior linebacker Trevor Glomski (Wabasha, Minn.) with a season-high 12 tackles. He also produced 2.5 sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Junior linebacker Al Quaye (Champlin, Minn.), the team's tackles leader, had nine tackles, 3.0 TFL's and 1.5 sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble.
Concordia forced 12.0 tackles for loss in the game for a total of 45 lost yards for SMSU. Eight different CU defenders dragged down a Mustang behind the line of scrimmage in an impressive team defensive effort.
For the official announcement on Mineral Water Bowl selections, visit the Mineral Water Bowl website: http://www.mineralwaterbowl.net/
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