It was only fitting that Bryse Wilson caught the game-winning touchdown pass for Orange on Friday night. He did everything else.

He played his customary linebacker role. He played safety, quarterback, running back, wide receiver. Even placekicker, leading to Orange’s only two touchbacks of the night.

Wilson’s 44-yard reception from quarterback Jackson Schmid with 52 remaining pushed the Panthers past the Knights 20-13 at Auman Stadium. Orange has now won 12 consecutive regular season nonconference games, and has defeated Northern three consecutive years for the first time in school history.

“He’s probably the best player I’ve ever coached,” said Orange coach Pat Moser. “One of the three best, anyway. He’s a superstar. He plays well all the time. He plays every play and I think he’s probably the best player I’ve ever had.”

Orange would need him on a night where Northern controlled the pace of play, leading to a bruising war of attrition. At various points, the Panthers lost four skill players to injury, along with punter Davis Dixon.

For the first time since 2013, Orange was shut out in the first half. Northern running back Domineke Mcneill’s 5-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Luke Fenlon was the only score in the opening two quarters.

Orange punt returner Montee Mitchell’s 31-yard return jump started the sluggish Panther offense to start the second half, leading to Schmid finding Wilson for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Sam Wilson’s extra point gave Orange a 7-6 lead.

The Panthers added insurance when Wilson found junior wide receiver Graham Cloer for a 20-yard touchdown reception.

Early in the fourth quarter, Northern tied the game with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that ended when Mcneill scored on a 2-yard dive.

Fenlon finished 22-of-37 for 180 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Mcneill ended up with 113 yards on 19 carries, along with both Northern touchdowns.

Orange (2-0) will travel to Riverside next Friday.[easingslider id=”127010”]