Manke's return, Dressler's record day not enough in 20-21 defeat

OMAHA, Neb.—Despite a near-perfect return to the lineup by senior quarterback Reed Manke and a record performance by receiver Weston Dressler, the fourth-ranked Fighting Sioux were handed a 21-20 loss by No. 12 Nebraska-Omaha this afternoon at Caniglia Field.

The win improves UNO to 4-0 in the North Central Conference and 5-1 overall, while the Sioux fall to 4-1 in NCC play and 6-1 overall.

Manke, who returned to the starting lineup after a three-game absence, completed his first 15 passes and finished 25-of-31 for 232 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once. Dressler, meanwhile, tied a school record with 15 receptions for a career-high 159 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

But it was a six-yard scoring run by Nebraska-Omaha quarterback Zach Miller with 8:44 remaining that served as the decisive score. Miller's touchdown answered a 27-yard field goal by UND's Brandon Hellevang on the previous possession that had put the Sioux in front 20-14.

Miller and the Mavericks promptly marched 68 yards on six plays for the winning point. UND actually held the nation's top-ranked rushing attacke to 212 yards on the ground, more than 100 yards under UNO's average coming into the game.

Miller carried 15 times for 81 yards and two scores, while senior running back Kyle Kasperbauer, the NCC's leading rusher, was held to 119 yards on 27 carries (4.4 avg.).

The Mavericks' winning drive was aided by two critical plays. First, facing third-and-seven from his own 35, Miller's pass down the seam went through the hands of a Sioux defender and into the arms of UNO receiver Troy Kush, who took the ball to UND's 39.

On the following play, UND's Rory Manke was flagged for pass interference at the Sioux goal line, giving the Mavericks a first down at the 24. Two plays later Miller scored the decisive touchdown.

After a three-and-out by the Sioux, the Mavericks took over with 7:15 remaining and were able to chew up all but the final 16 seconds of regulation to preserve the win.

Sophomore running back Brandon Brady scored UND's only other touchdown, barreling over the goal line from one yard out in the first quarter for his fourth score of the season.

Hellevang added a pair of field goals, connecting from 18 and 27 yards away.

In addition to his 81 yards and two TDs on the ground, Miller completed seven of 13 passes for 131 yards and a 36-yard touchdown to Troy Kush, which came with 23 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

UND, which has not won in Omaha since 1995, is now off for a week before returning to action at home against Minnesota Duluth on Oct. 28.

Notes: Manke's interception late in the first half was his first since the fourth quarter at Central Washington in the season opener on Sept. 1. It was just the second time he had been picked off all season, and just the fifth in 307 career pass attempts … Dressler's 100-yard receiving performance was his third of the season and fifth of his career.

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Contact: Jayson Hajdu