Conference Semifinals, 2026

played in Champaign, IL

49 degrees, rain, 3 mph wind

Minnesota Golden Hawks	3	0	0	0	-	3
Champaign Thunder	14	17	0	10	-	41

Scoring Summary
1Q: 11:12 CHM - C.J. Emmons 28 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
1Q: 06:28 CHM - Butch Bostic 22 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
1Q: 00:16 MIN - Irving Clemens 43 field goal
2Q: 11:32 CHM - Jeffrey Donovan 3 run (Sam Linquist extra point)
2Q: 05:27 CHM - C.J. Emmons 26 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
2Q: 00:10 CHM - Sam Linquist 46 field goal
4Q: 12:25 CHM - Kyle Jeffries 30 interception return (Sam Linquist extra point)
4Q: 04:57 CHM - Sam Linquist 29 field goal

Scoring Summary
1Q: 11:12 CHM - C.J. Emmons 28 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
1Q: 06:28 CHM - Butch Bostic 22 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
1Q: 00:16 MIN - Irving Clemens 43 field goal
2Q: 11:32 CHM - Jeffrey Donovan 3 run (Sam Linquist extra point)
2Q: 05:27 CHM - C.J. Emmons 26 pass from J.R. Carpenter (Sam Linquist extra point)
2Q: 00:10 CHM - Sam Linquist 46 field goal
4Q: 12:25 CHM - Kyle Jeffries 30 interception return (Sam Linquist extra point)
4Q: 04:57 CHM - Sam Linquist 29 field goal

Team Statistics MIN CHM
Record 12-6 16-1
First Downs 6 26
- by Rushing 1 8
- by Passing 5 17
- by Penalty 0 1
Total Net Yards 182 454
- Offensive Plays 49 70
- Yards per Play 3.71 6.49
Net Rushing Yards 81 114
- Rushing Attempts 24 24
- Yards per Rush 3.38 4.75
Net Passing Yards 101 340
- Att./Comp./Intrcpt 23 - 14 - 2 46 - 23 - 3
- Gross Passing Yards 117 340
- Sacks/Yards Lost 2/16 0/0
- Yards per Pass Play 4.04 7.39
Fumbles/Lost 0/0 0/0
3rd Down Conversions 1/12 8/13
- Avg. YtG on 3rd Down 9.6 7.7
4th Down Conversions 0/0 0/0
Penalties/Yards 6/50 2/15
Punt Returns/Yards 1/4 1/9
Kick Returns/Yards 8/222 2/65
Interception Ret./Yards 3/15 2/30
2pt Conversions 0/0 0/0
Red Zone Visits 0 2
- Red Zone TDs/FGs 0/0 1/1
Avg. Drive Start OWN 33 OWN 28
Time of Possession 27:10 32:50

Team Statistics	MIN	CHM
Record	12-6	16-1
First Downs	6	26
- by Rushing	1	8
- by Passing	5	17
- by Penalty	0	1
Total Net Yards	182	454
- Offensive Plays	49	70
- Yards per Play	3.71	6.49
Net Rushing Yards	81	114
- Rushing Attempts	24	24
- Yards per Rush	3.38	4.75
Net Passing Yards	101	340
- Att./Comp./Intrcpt	23 - 14 - 2	46 - 23 - 3
- Gross Passing Yards	117	340
- Sacks/Yards Lost	2/16	0/0
- Yards per Pass Play	4.04	7.39
Fumbles/Lost	0/0	0/0
3rd Down Conversions	1/12	8/13
- Avg. YtG on 3rd Down	9.6	7.7
4th Down Conversions	0/0	0/0
Penalties/Yards	6/50	2/15
Punt Returns/Yards	1/4	1/9
Kick Returns/Yards	8/222	2/65
Interception Ret./Yards	3/15	2/30
2pt Conversions	0/0	0/0
Red Zone Visits	0	2
- Red Zone TDs/FGs	0/0	1/1
Avg. Drive Start	OWN 33	OWN 28
Time of Possession	27:10	32:50

Drive Charts

Minnesota Golden Hawks
Quar	Began	Poss	From	Plays	Yards	Result
1	11:01	2:25	OWN 23	3	4	Punt
1	6:11	6:03	OWN 41	8	33	Field Goal
2	11:25	2:57	OWN 45	5	12	Punt
2	5:12	2:17	OWN 32	3	1	Punt
3	15:00	3:17	OWN 37	6	35	Interception
3	6:52	0:57	OWN 20	3	5	Punt
3	5:45	2:40	OPP 49	4	19	Missed FG
3	1:06	1:06	OWN 17	3	8	Punt
4	13:28	1:11	OWN 20	3	7	Interception
4	12:17	3:44	OWN 36	5	35	Missed FG
4	4:51	1:47	OWN 36	3	2	Punt
4	1:47	1:24	OWN 41	3	6	Punt

Champaign Thunder
Quar	Began	Poss	From	Plays	Yards	Result
1	15:00	3:59	OWN 43	8	57	Touchdown
1	8:36	2:25	OWN 30	5	70	Touchdown
1	0:08	3:43	OWN 39	8	61	Touchdown
2	8:28	3:16	OWN 9	9	91	Touchdown
2	2:55	2:52	OWN 38	6	33	Field Goal
3	11:43	4:51	OWN 17	9	48	Punt
3	5:55	0:10	OWN 39	1	0	Interception
3	3:05	1:59	OWN 37	5	22	Interception
4	15:00	1:32	OWN 37	6	29	Interception
4	8:33	3:42	OWN 36	10	52	Field Goal
4	3:04	1:17	OWN 16	3	4	Punt
4	0:23	0:23	OWN 6	1	7	Game

Game MVP: C.J. Emmons, Champaign Thunder

Rushing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Yards	Avg	LG	10+
Stephen Dixon	14	45	3.21	10	1
Mel Stokes	6	25	4.17	16	1
Courtney Finch	3	8	2.67	7	0
Benjamin Lee	1	3	3.00	3	0

Champaign	Att	Yards	Avg	LG	10+	TD
Jeffrey Donovan	14	76	5.43	21	2	1
Corey Sybrowski	9	26	2.89	12	1	0
J.R. Carpenter	1	12	12.00	12	1	0

Passing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Comp	Yards	Sk/Yd	TD	LG	Int	Rate
Benjamin Lee	23	14	117	2/16	0	23	2	37.8

Champaign	Att	Comp	Yards	Sk/Yd	TD	LG	Int	Rate
J.R. Carpenter	46	23	340	0/0	3	33	3	69.1

Receiving Statistics

Minnesota	Catch	Targ	Yards	Avg	YAC	LG
TE Lester Baskey	3	4	25	8.33	10	16
WR Bernie Sweeney	3	6	41	13.67	21	23
FB Courtney Finch	2	2	17	8.50	3	10
WR Sean Pallansch	2	5	18	9.00	3	12
RB Stephen Dixon	2	2	9	4.50	5	7
RB Mel Stokes	1	1	6	6.00	1	6
WR Troy Wiggins	1	2	1	1.00	0	1
RB Cole McCormick	0	1	0	0.00	0	0

Champaign	Catch	Targ	Yards	Avg	YAC	LG	TD
WR C.J. Emmons	6	14	102	17.00	12	28	2
WR Rufus Mularkey	5	6	59	11.80	0	26	0
TE Fred Lohr	4	8	60	15.00	49	33	0
WR Bennie Sandlin	3	8	45	15.00	18	20	0
TE Ross Deskins	1	1	9	9.00	0	9	0
RB Jeffrey Donovan	1	2	10	10.00	9	10	0
WR Kirk Nobles	1	1	27	27.00	5	27	0
WR Butch Bostic	1	3	22	22.00	0	22	1
FB Morris Gordon	1	1	6	6.00	1	6	0
WR Gerald Battle	0	1	0	0.00	0	0	0
RB Corey Sybrowski	0	1	0	0.00	0	0	0

Interception Statistics

Minnesota	Ints	Yards	Avg
CB Percy Oliver	1	0	0.00
S Emmanuel Ouellette	1	2	2.00
CB Ernie Vertescher	1	13	13.00

Champaign	Ints	Yards	Avg	TD
S Jeff Marion	1	0	0.00	0
OLB Kyle Jeffries	1	30	30.00	1

Fumble Statistics

Minnesota	Fumb	Recov	Force	TD

Champaign	Fumb	Recov	Force	TD

Punting Statistics

Minnesota	Punt	Yards	Avg	Net	LG	In20
Jackie Scott	7	282	40.3	39.0	52	3

Champaign	Punt	Yards	Avg	Net	LG	In20
Brandon Baxter	2	78	39.0	27.0	43	0

Kicking Statistics

Minnesota	FGs	40+Yd	50+Yd	LG	PAT
Irving Clemens	1/3	1/3	0/0	43	0/0

Champaign	FGs	40+Yd	50+Yd	LG	PAT
Sam Linquist	2/2	1/1	0/0	46	5/5

Punt Return Statistics

Minnesota	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Roy Reynolds	1	4	4.0	0

Champaign	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Kirk Nobles	1	9	9.0	0

Kick Return Statistics

Minnesota	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Sean Pallansch	5	141	28.2	0
Marcus Rodgers	3	81	27.0	0

Champaign	Ret	Yards	Avg	TD
Gary Zytniak	2	65	32.5	0

Defensive Statistics

Minnesota	Tack	Asst	Sack	RPlay	PPlay
S Norman Haworth	8	0	0.0	22	37
CB Ernie Vertescher	6	1	0.0	20	37
OLB Jackie Stevens	4	1	0.0	20	31
DT Norbert Borders	4	0	0.0	18	35
S Dean Tanner	4	0	0.0	8	24
S Emmanuel Ouellette	3	1	0.0	18	32
OLB Wayne Hines	2	1	0.0	18	43
CB Percy Oliver	2	0	0.0	21	36
OLB Bo Tanner	2	0	0.0	24	46
ILB Herb Jazynka	1	3	0.0	22	38
DE Derek Holliday	1	1	0.0	11	19
DT Billy Clayton	1	1	0.0	6	12
ILB Brandon White	1	0	0.0	6	4
CB Larry Warkentien	1	0	0.0	5	22
DE Mitch Oxenby	1	0	0.0	14	28
CB Herb Newhart	1	0	0.0	4	9
WR Sean Pallansch	1	0	---	---	---
OLB Hardy Stansberry	1	0	0.0	4	9

Champaign	Tack	Asst	Sack	RPlay	PPlay
OLB Jared Shimada	8	1	0.0	20	22
OLB Tom Meier	4	1	0.0	11	12
OLB Kyle Jeffries	4	1	0.0	21	19
ILB Charlie Poloski	4	0	0.0	13	13
S Jeff Marion	3	1	0.0	21	23
CB Jason Vance	3	0	0.0	8	11
DT Rich Westbrook	3	0	0.0	22	21
DT David Jackson	2	1	1.0	13	15
DE Heath Warren	2	0	0.5	10	13
S Rod Rockett	2	2	0.0	24	25
CB Carlos Hines	2	0	0.0	14	14
DE Walt Borders	1	2	0.0	21	22
WR C.J. Emmons	1	0	---	---	---
WR Bennie Sandlin	1	0	---	---	---
CB Gary Zytniak	1	0	0.0	20	23
RB Corey Sybrowski	1	0	---	---	---
CB Horace Nelson	1	0	0.0	4	3
DE Ben Banks	0	1	0.5	24	25
DT Robbie Wooden	0	1	0.0	1	0
OLB Anthony Wheeler	0	1	0.0	0	1
S Carlton Di Pietro	0	1	0.0	12	9

Pass Rush Statistics

Minnesota	Block	Hurry	Knock	PPlay
DE Stephen Wilkerson	1	1	0	27
DE Derek Holliday	0	3	1	19
OLB Bo Tanner	0	1	0	46
DE Mitch Oxenby	0	1	0	28
ILB Herb Jazynka	0	1	0	38
OLB Jackie Stevens	0	1	0	31

Champaign	Sack	Hurry	Knock	PPlay
DT David Jackson	1.0	1	0	15
DE Ben Banks	0.5	1	1	25
DE Heath Warren	0.5	0	0	13
DE Walt Borders	0.0	0	1	22

Pass Defense Statistics

Minnesota	Caught	Defnsd	Intrcp	PPlay
S Norman Haworth	4	3	0	37
CB Ernie Vertescher	4	0	1	37
S Emmanuel Ouellette	3	1	1	32
S Dean Tanner	2	1	0	24
OLB Jackie Stevens	2	0	0	31
CB Percy Oliver	1	1	1	36
OLB Wayne Hines	1	1	0	43
OLB Bo Tanner	1	0	0	46
DT Norbert Borders	1	0	0	35
DE Derek Holliday	1	0	0	19
CB Herb Newhart	1	0	0	9
ILB Herb Jazynka	1	0	0	38
OLB Hardy Stansberry	1	0	0	9

Champaign	Caught	Defnsd	Intrcp	PPlay
OLB Jared Shimada	6	0	0	22
S Jeff Marion	2	1	1	23
OLB Kyle Jeffries	2	0	1	19
CB Jason Vance	2	0	0	11
ILB Charlie Poloski	1	1	0	13
OLB Tom Meier	1	0	0	12
S Rod Rockett	0	1	0	25

Blocking Statistics

Minnesota	KeyBl	BlOpp	RPly	SckA	PPly
Korey Way	1	6	20	0	23
Glenn Darlington	1	4	20	0	18
Brent Dennis	1	2	18	0	22
Stan Hastings	1	1	6	0	6
Courtney Finch	0	3	19	0	18
James Gerhardt	0	2	15	1	20
Korey Westbrook	0	2	18	1	19
Billy Francis	0	2	13	0	7
Dustin Rhodes	0	1	4	0	7

Champaign	KeyBl	BlOpp	Panc	RPly	PPly
Mitch Howe	4	8	0	22	40
Fred Lohr	2	4	2	23	34
Irv Williamson	2	2	0	21	42
J.C. Nichols	1	2	1	7	10
Quentin King	1	1	0	10	14
Clay Ramsey	0	2	0	17	37
Jamie Hatcher	0	2	0	16	38
R.J. Oliver	0	1	0	20	40
Butch Athanas	0	1	0	7	9

Special Teams Tackles

Minnesota	Tackles	STPlays
Roy Reynolds	1	20
Bernie Sweeney	1	12
Larry Warkentien	1	11

Champaign	Tackles	STPlays
Ross Deskins	3	11
Morris Gordon	2	13
Gary Zytniak	1	27
Kirk Nobles	1	17
Carlton Di Pietro	1	12
Leslie Kalu	1	4

Participation

Minnesota	RPlyOff	PPlyOff	RPlyDef	PPlyDef	STPly	Total Plays
Bo Tanner	---	---	24	46	2	72
Herb Jazynka	---	---	22	38	10	70
Percy Oliver	---	---	21	36	11	68
Wayne Hines	---	---	18	43	2	63
Norman Haworth	---	---	22	37	1	60
Ernie Vertescher	---	---	20	37	1	58
Courtney Finch	19	18	---	---	20	57
Bernie Sweeney	22	22	---	---	12	56
Jackie Stevens	---	---	20	31	5	56
Norbert Borders	---	---	18	35	2	55
Korey Way	20	23	---	---	10	53
Lester Baskey	18	16	---	---	19	53
Emmanuel Ouellette	---	---	18	32	2	52
Benjamin Lee	24	25	---	---	---	49
Dean Tanner	---	---	8	24	13	45
Mitch Oxenby	---	---	14	28	2	44
Stephen Wilkerson	---	---	15	27	2	44
James Gerhardt	15	20	---	---	7	42
Brent Dennis	18	22	---	---	---	40
Sean Pallansch	17	17	---	---	6	40
Larry Warkentien	---	---	5	22	11	38
Glenn Darlington	20	18	---	---	---	38
Korey Westbrook	18	19	---	---	---	37
Stephen Dixon	16	19	---	---	---	35
Mel Stokes	6	5	---	---	19	30
Derek Holliday	---	---	11	19	---	30
Tyrus Ragland	---	---	8	17	3	28
Billy Francis	13	7	---	---	8	28
Marcus Rodgers	6	7	---	---	12	25
Roy Reynolds	2	2	---	---	20	24
Dustin Rhodes	4	7	---	---	10	21
Hardy Stansberry	---	---	4	9	8	21
Claude Oshiro	6	3	---	---	10	19
Herb Newhart	---	---	4	9	6	19
Troy Wiggins	8	9	---	---	2	19
Billy Clayton	---	---	6	12	1	19
Brad Bensen	5	8	---	---	5	18
Stan Hastings	6	6	---	---	---	12
Brandon White	---	---	6	4	1	11
Jackie Scott	0	0	---	---	7	7
Irving Clemens	0	0	---	---	5	5
Andrew Powell	0	0	---	---	5	5
Cole McCormick	1	2	---	---	1	4
Butch Campbell	0	0	---	---	3	3
Buddy Cahill	0	0	---	---	---	0
Clyde Green	0	0	---	---	---	0

Champaign	RPlyOff	PPlyOff	RPlyDef	PPlyDef	STPly	Total Plays
Gary Zytniak	---	---	20	23	27	70
J.R. Carpenter	24	46	---	---	---	70
Fred Lohr	23	34	---	---	7	64
Irv Williamson	21	42	---	---	---	63
Mitch Howe	22	40	---	---	---	62
C.J. Emmons	20	40	---	---	---	60
R.J. Oliver	20	40	---	---	---	60
Ben Banks	---	---	24	25	8	57
Clay Ramsey	17	37	---	---	3	57
Jamie Hatcher	16	38	---	---	3	57
Kyle Jeffries	---	---	21	19	16	56
Rod Rockett	---	---	24	25	5	54
Jeffrey Donovan	14	31	---	---	9	54
Bennie Sandlin	16	34	---	---	---	50
Jeff Marion	---	---	21	23	4	48
Jared Shimada	---	---	20	22	6	48
Rufus Mularkey	14	33	---	---	1	48
Rich Westbrook	---	---	22	21	3	46
Walt Borders	---	---	21	22	1	44
Corey Sybrowski	10	12	---	---	15	37
Sedrick Blunt	5	12	---	---	17	34
Carlton Di Pietro	---	---	12	9	12	33
David Jackson	---	---	13	15	4	32
Carlos Hines	---	---	14	14	3	31
Ross Deskins	7	10	---	---	11	28
Quentin King	10	14	---	---	4	28
Charlie Poloski	---	---	13	13	2	28
Heath Warren	---	---	10	13	3	26
Tom Meier	---	---	11	12	3	26
Butch Bostic	5	15	---	---	5	25
Jason Vance	---	---	8	11	4	23
Morris Gordon	5	5	---	---	13	23
J.C. Nichols	7	10	---	---	4	21
Gerald Battle	1	3	---	---	14	18
Kirk Nobles	0	1	---	---	17	18
Butch Athanas	7	9	---	---	2	18
Kelvin Mealey	---	---	2	4	6	12
Horace Nelson	---	---	4	3	4	11
Sam Linquist	0	0	---	---	10	10
Anthony Wheeler	---	---	0	1	9	10
Leslie Kalu	0	0	---	---	4	4
Marcus Reese	---	---	3	0	---	3
Robbie Wooden	---	---	1	0	1	2
A.J. Palkowski	0	0	---	---	2	2
Brandon Baxter	0	0	---	---	2	2
J.B. Mireles	0	0	---	---	---	0

Directional Rushing Statistics

Distance	Att	Yards	Avg
Left	6	18	3.0
Middle	8	15	1.9
Right	10	48	4.8
None	0	0	0.0

Distance	Att	Yards	Avg
Left	10	28	2.8
Middle	6	61	10.2
Right	8	25	3.1
None	0	0	0.0

Detailed Passing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Cmp	20+	BdTh	Drop	Dfns	Hurr	Knck	Intc
Benjamin Lee	23	14	1	1	1	3	2	2	2

Champaign	Att	Cmp	20+	BdTh	Drop	Dfns	Hurr	Knck	Intc
J.R. Carpenter	46	23	7	1	3	7	8	1	3

Directional Passing Statistics

Distance	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg
Screen	2	2	7	3.5
Short (0-8 Yds)	18	12	110	6.1
Medium (9-18 Yds)	1	0	0	0.0
Long (19+ Yds)	2	0	0	0.0

Distance	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg
Screen	3	2	25	8.3
Short (0-8 Yds)	23	12	117	5.1
Medium (9-18 Yds)	5	4	69	13.8
Long (19+ Yds)	15	5	129	8.6

Detailed Receiving Statistics

Minnesota	Targt	Caugt	Dropd	Yards	20+	PPlay
WR Bernie Sweeney	6	3	0	41	1	22
WR Sean Pallansch	5	2	1	18	0	17
TE Lester Baskey	4	3	0	25	0	16
FB Courtney Finch	2	2	0	17	0	18
WR Troy Wiggins	2	1	0	1	0	9
RB Stephen Dixon	2	2	0	9	0	19
RB Mel Stokes	1	1	0	6	0	5
RB Cole McCormick	1	0	0	0	0	2

Champaign	Targt	Caugt	Dropd	Yards	20+	PPlay
WR C.J. Emmons	14	6	2	102	2	40
WR Bennie Sandlin	8	3	0	45	1	34
TE Fred Lohr	8	4	0	60	1	34
WR Rufus Mularkey	6	5	0	59	1	33
WR Butch Bostic	3	1	0	22	1	15
RB Jeffrey Donovan	2	1	1	10	0	31
TE Ross Deskins	1	1	0	9	0	10
WR Gerald Battle	1	0	0	0	0	3
RB Corey Sybrowski	1	0	0	0	0	12
WR Kirk Nobles	1	1	0	27	1	1
FB Morris Gordon	1	1	0	6	0	5

Red-Zone Rushing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Yards	Avg	Overall Avg

Champaign	Att	Yards	Avg	Overall Avg
Jeffrey Donovan	1	3	3.00	5.43
Corey Sybrowski	1	3	3.00	2.89

Red-Zone Passing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg/Att	Overall Avg

Champaign	Att	Comp	Yards	Avg/Att	Overall Avg
J.R. Carpenter	5	2	15	3.00	7.39

Red-Zone Receiving Statistics

Minnesota	Target	Catch	Yards	Avg/Targ	Overall Avg

Champaign	Target	Catch	Yards	Avg/Targ	Overall Avg
WR C.J. Emmons	2	1	4	2.00	7.29
WR Bennie Sandlin	1	0	0	0.00	5.63
TE Fred Lohr	1	1	11	11.00	7.50
WR Rufus Mularkey	1	0	0	0.00	9.83

Third Down Rushing Statistics

Minnesota	Rushes	Conversions
Stephen Dixon	3	0
Mel Stokes	1	0
Courtney Finch	1	0

Champaign	Rushes	Conversions
Jeffrey Donovan	1	1

Third Down Passing Statistics

Minnesota	Att	Comp	Conversions
Benjamin Lee	7	4	1

Champaign	Att	Comp	Conversions
J.R. Carpenter	12	7	7

Third Down Receiving Statistics

Minnesota	Targ	Catch	Conversions
TE Lester Baskey	2	1	1
WR Bernie Sweeney	2	1	0
FB Courtney Finch	1	1	0
WR Sean Pallansch	1	0	0
RB Stephen Dixon	1	1	0

Champaign	Targ	Catch	Conversions
WR C.J. Emmons	4	3	3
WR Bennie Sandlin	3	1	1
RB Jeffrey Donovan	2	1	1
WR Rufus Mularkey	1	1	1
WR Gerald Battle	1	0	0
WR Kirk Nobles	1	1	1

Section Attendance
Stadium 73,900 (75,000 capacity)
Upper Deck 21,800 (21,800)
End Zone 15,600 (15,600)
Mezzanine 9,000 (9,000)
Sideline Seats 13,800 (13,800)
Club Seats 8,600 (8,600)
Luxury Boxes 5,100 (6,200)

Section	Attendance
Stadium	73,900 (75,000 capacity)
Upper Deck	21,800 (21,800)
End Zone	15,600 (15,600)
Mezzanine	9,000 (9,000)
Sideline Seats	13,800 (13,800)
Club Seats	8,600 (8,600)
Luxury Boxes	5,100 (6,200)