HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 12th-ranked Iowa Central football team pushed No. 1 Hutchinson to the limit here Saturday afternoon.

A week after knocking off defending two-time national champion Iowa Western, the Blue Dragons fought off the Tritons and survived with a game-winning field goal in overtime by a final of 33-30.

“The kids played extremely hard,” ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto said. “That goes without saying. We were right there and we wanted to find a way. We did some great things, but when you commit 16 penalties against a quality opponent on the road, it’s really hard (to prevail).”

Hutchinson (3-0 overall) erased a 14-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter to complete the comeback when Nestus Burger hit a 36-yard field goal.

“When you’re up 14 with six minutes left, you’re feeling confident — but not comfortable,” Montalto said. “We worked some one-on-one matchups in our favor, had some big plays out of the backfield with our running backs, and our special teams came through.

“Our defense forced a lot of three-and-outs, but they did counter with just enough explosive plays on us.”

The Tritons (1-2) had a chance to win it in regulation, reaching the Blue Dragon 34 before the clock ran out. Iowa Central missed a field goal try in OT.

Trevon Taylor threw for 163 yards, completing 13 of 18 passes. Cyncir Bowers had four receptions for 75 yards and ran 19 times for 66 yards with a score.

Anthony Hall added two short rushing TDs for Iowa Central, and Nolan Gustafson hit a 31-yard field goal.

“I told them afterward that I was proud of them for the effort, but I felt bad. There’s really nothing I could say in a situation like that to make them feel better,” Montalto said. “They were so close.”

For Hutchinson, Samari Collier threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards. Benson Prosper had 80 yards receiving and Derrick Salley Jr. caught two TD passes.

Iowa Central led 21-9 on a 1-yard TD run by Hall with eight minutes to play in the third. With six minutes to go in the game, Kadarius Williams had a 53-yard interception return for a score to make it 30-16.

The Tritons return home on Saturday when they host second-ranked Iowa Western at Dodger Stadium beginning at noon.

“We don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves or sulk,” Montalto said. “Our schedule doesn’t do us any favors with the way it’s set up. We’re four points away from being undefeated and a Top-3 team in the country. Instead we’re 1-2 and needing to fight our way back.

“It is what it is. Iowa Western won’t be feeling sorry for us. So we’ve got to keep battling.”