Nellesen gives Northwood a thrilling ending

IRVINE - It had been a frustrating season for Northwood's football team up until Thursday night.

But Nathan Nellesen provided a happy ending for the Timberwolves, nailing a 41-yard field goal with 10 seconds left to lift Northwood to a 16-14 Pacific Coast League victory over University at Irvine.

Nellesen's kick ended the playoff hopes for University (3-7, 1-4). The Trojans were hoping to wind up in a tie for third in the league and force a coin flip.

"We had nothing to lose, I just wanted to go out there and give it my best," Nellesen said.

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Nellesen kept Northwood close, kicking field goals of 36 and 31 yards in the first half.

"Our seniors have been through a lot of adversity," Northwood coach Rick Curtis said. "We've lost so many close games. To win it on a field goal is fitting, I guess."

University moved out to a 14-13 lead on a 46-yard TD run by Ryan Kuo early in the fourth quarter. The Trojans missed the 2-point try.

University had the ball back again late in the contest but Northwood (3-7, 1-4) stopped University and took over on its own 26-yard line with 40 seconds left and no timeouts remaining.

Quarterback Ricky Bautista put Northwood in scoring position when he connected with Tyler Molnar on a 38-yard pass play which moved the ball to the University 24-yard line and set up the winning field goal.

"Nathan has hit like nine a row," Curtis said. "He's done a great job and Tyler Molnar made a great play and Ricky made a great pass."

Kuo led University rushing for 111 yards. Bautista passed for 233 yards in his final Northwood game.