A fourth down, fourth quarter touchdown strike with just 46 seconds remaining by Concordia University, St. Paul lifted the road team to a 17-14 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference win versus Bemidji State University Saturday at Chet Anderson Stadium.

After a 48-yard field goal attempt by Bemidji State’s Zach Pulkinen (Sr., K/P, Minot, N.D.) sailed wide left, the Golden Bears marched 69 yards in nine plays and connected on a desperation 19-yard touchdown to go-ahead 17-14. CU was facing a fourth-and-six on the BSU 19-yard line when quarterback Jared Russo zipped a ball up the middle with senior linebacker Matt Phipps (Reno, Nev.) bearing down on him and found a covered Gabe Boyce right at the goal line. BSU defenders were right on top of Boyce and tried to strip the ball, but were unsuccessful, as the CU sideline erupted when the referee’s arms went up to signal a touchdown.

BSU took a 7-0 lead in the first after a 10-play, 60-yard drive that saw a 3-for-3 conversion rate on third down. The drive was capped by a senior running back Avery Walker (Milwaukee, Wis.) two-yard dive into the end zone. CU responded with a score in the second quarter to tie the game 7-7.

After posting two defensive touchdowns at Winona State University, Sept. 5, the Gang Green defense almost tallied another defensive score when senior linebacker Buckley Wright (Sioux City, Iowa) picked Russo at the BSU 43 and hustled down to the CU 10 before Russo caught up and made the tackle. Taking over with just 31 seconds until halftime, the Beaver offense was able to capitalize with a third down connection in the corner of the end zone between quarterback Ryan Shields (Fr-RS, Roseville, Calif.) and Jordan Noskowiak (So., TE, Sun Prairie, Wis.) to own a 14-7 lead at the break.

CU converted on a 38-yard field goal with 9:18 remaining in regulation before its game-winning touchdown.