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Orono rallies to tie game in regulation, defeats St. Louis Park in OT

By Adam Holt, SportsEngine, 10/04/18, 10:00PM CDT

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Jimmy Buck scored the game's final two touchdowns to win the game for the Spartans.

Orono senior quarterback Nick Prentice eludes pressure during the first half Friday night. The Spartans defeated visiting St. Louis Park in overtime 20-6. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Orono senior quarterback Nick Prentice eludes pressure during the first half Friday night. The Spartans defeated visiting St. Louis Park in overtime 20-14. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Orono senior wideout Jimmy Buck finished with two late touchdowns to help the Spartans secure a 20-14 homecoming victory over St. Louis Park. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

Orono senior wideout Jimmy Buck finished with two late touchdowns to help the Spartans secure a 20-14 homecoming victory over St. Louis Park. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

One year can make all the difference — so long as that time is used properly.

A year ago, Orono wide receiver Jimmy Buck was just a guy. This fall, as a senior, he’s The Guy — and he showed it with two huge touchdown catches in a homecoming comeback win against St. Louis Park Friday night.

Orono trailed all game until Buck’s touchdown with 1 minute, 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter set up a tying 2-point conversion to get the Spartans to overtime with the Orioles. And on the second play of overtime, Buck caught a ball on an out route for an 8-yard touchdown and a lead that the Spartans made hold up for a 20-14 victory.

First Report

It was a homecoming Orono won’t soon forget. Trailing most of the game, the Spartans came back to beat St. Louis Park 20-14 in overtime Friday night at Pesonen Stadium in Orono.

Orono (3-3, 2-1) turned the ball over four times, but got it back, down eight points with less than 5 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Spartans drove down the field and quarterback Nick Prentice found Jimmy Buck in the end zone for a touchdown with 1 minute, 17 seconds remaining. A tipped 2-point conversion pass was good to Jack Patterson to tie the game.

Buck caught an 8-yard pass in overtime to make it 20-14 Orono. He entered the game leading the state in receiving yards. Spartan Joey Tilzer intercepted St. Louis Park (2-4, 1-3) quarterback Aaron Ellingson on the Orioles’ overtime possession to end the game.

The first half was a defensive struggle, as St. Louis Park led 7-6 at halftime.

Ellingson completed a 22-yard touchdown pass to McCabe Dvorak on fourth down to give the Orioles a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Orono responded with a drive capped by a 1-yard run by Prentice. The 2-point conversion failed, and the Spartans trailed 7-6 with 8:20 left in the second.

Prentice finished 22 of 30 for 233 yards passing, two touchdowns and a 2-point conversion pass. Buck had 10 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Ellingson went 15 of 38 for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Sajid Nathim had 28 carries for 151 yards.

St. Louis Park senior Sajid Nathim helped drive the Orioles' ground attack with 28 carries for 151 yards Friday night at Orono. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

St. Louis Park senior Sajid Nathim helped drive the Orioles' ground attack with 28 carries for 151 yards Friday night at Orono. Photo by Drew Herron, SportsEngine

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