CHADRON, Neb. - This time, the defense bailed out the offense.

In a home game during the NCAA Division II playoffs against Abilene Christian in 2007, Chadron State's defense struggled and the offense prevailed in a 76-73 three-overtime victory.

"Last year, the offense bailed us out. People were saying that after the game," said linebacker and Chadron, Neb., native Aaron Bauer, who had an interception in the game.

This time in the playoffs, it was the defense's turn as the Eagles held strong in a 23-17 victory over Wayne State, Neb., on Saturday at Elliott Field in Chadron.

"We beat one heck of a team today," Chadron State coach Bill O'Boyle said. "It was a defensive struggle.

"Our defense played lights out and they had huge turnovers for us that changed the game. It was a defensive struggle and they stepped up. I can't say enough about our defensive staff and how great of a job they did to prepare for a very talented Wayne State offense."

The Eagles' defense created four turnovers, registered a safety and held the Wayne State offensive unit to only one touchdown. They also shouldered the team after Eagles quarterback Joe McLain - who completed 20-of-31 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns - left the game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury late in the third quarter. Chadron State was leading 23-10 at the time.

After McLain left, Chadron State's offense struggled to move the offense through most of the fourth quarter. Wayne State worked its way back into the game by adding a touchdown with 7:45 remaining in the game. Wildcat quarterback Silas Fluellen - who completed 17 passes for 236 yards and a touchdown, and led the team with 60 rushing yards - connected with his top target, Logan Masters, for a 30-yard touchdown. Masters led all receivers with nine catches for 118 yards.

The two teams traded punts until Eagles' backup quarterback Garrett Treffer broke a 19-yard run and got the team in field goal range with 2:38 remaining in the game. However, the 37-yard attempt was blocked, giving Wayne State the ball.

"We thought with a minute and a half left we would win 24-23," said Wayne State coach Dan McLaughlin.

But that was not the case.

With the Wildcats at their own 37-yard line, three consecutive Fluellen passes fell to the ground, allowing the Eagles to run out the clock for the win.

"We just fell short at the end of the game," Fluellen said. "That last drive was the game for us."

The Eagles' defense was impressive during two other equally important Wayne State drives to start the second half. The Eagles were forced to stop the Wildcats on two consecutive drives deep in the Chadron red zone.

Chadron State then drove down the field on a drive that included 19- and 11-yard runs by Ritzen, who led the Eagles with 44 rushing yards. McLain then connected with Tyler Watson for the Eagles' final score.

Wayne State's next drive reached as far as the Chadron 3-yard line before running back Travis Rhone fumbled, giving the ball to Chadron.

"You might be able to beat a team with four turnovers and a blocked punt, but not a great team," McLaughlin said.

Chadron State looked impressive to start the game.

Four plays into the game, McLain threw a 73-yard touchdown strike down the middle of the field to Joel Schommer, who evaded tacklers by running to the right side of the field.

The Wildcats - who had won seven straight games before Saturday - then answered with a 40-yard field goal on their 12-play opening drive.

The teams then traded turnovers for the remainder of the first quarter. Chadron running back John Ritzen fumbled at his own 38-yard line after seven plays. But two plays into the Wildcats' drive, Fluellen threw an interception to the Eagles' Terrance Newman near the left sideline. On Chadron's possession, Wildcat Matt Greenway stepped in front of a McLain pass and took it 58 yards for a touchdown.

Brandon Harrington led the Chadron State receivers with eight catches for 72 yards. He is now the school record holder for most receptions in a season with 75.