FAYETTE, Iowa – The Winona State football team snapped a three-game losing streak in convincing fashion, dominating on both sides of the ball to earn a 38-19 victory Saturday night at Harms-Eischeid Stadium in Fayette.

Normally known for its high-powered passing attack, the Warriors instead let the running game do the bulk of the work as the Warriors steadily pulled away from the Peacocks.

The Warriors were in business right away, as Ryan Gerts forced a Peacock fumble on just the second play from scrimmage that Mitch Lunder would recover, allowing the offense to set up shop at the UIU 24 yard line. Paul Preston then scampered 16 yards for the score on just the second offensive play to put WSU quickly up 7-0 after the PAT.

Upper Iowa answered just a few minutes later with a 13-yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7-7 with 10:09 to play.

WSU's quick-strike offense was back on display, as running back Paul Preston took the first play 48 yards down to the Peacock 22 yard line that a few plays later would set up a seven-yard rush by Direll Clark for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

Still in the first quarter, Jack Nelson found Cameron Johnson for a 12-yard score to open up a 21-7 lead with 2:49 to go in the opening quarter.

A UIU field goal early in the second quarter cut the lead to 11, and the Peacocks would cut it to a one-score game right before halftime, taking advantage of a blocked punt that would set up a 32-yard field goal to make it 21-13 at the break.

It was all Winona State out of the locker rooms. Clark scored his second-touchdown of the game from one yard out to make it 28-13 and later in the quarter Nelson avoided pressure and ran for a 15-yard score to break open a 35-13 lead.

Carter McCauley converted his second field goal of the season early in the fourth quarter to extend the Warrior advantage to 38-13 before Upper Iowa finally stopped the 17-0 WSU run with a two-yard touchdown rush, but the Warriors denied the two-point conversion to keep the score at 38-19 with 8:32 to play – a score that would remain until the clock hit zeros.

The Peacocks struggled mightily without star running back Chris Smith, as the stout Warrior defense shut down any semblance of a rushing attack to the tune of 23 carries for just 35 yards. The Warriors had no such issues in that category, pounding the rock 45 times for 226 yards. Preston was fantastic, gaining 133 yards and a touchdown on 20 touches, good for an impressive 6.7 yards per carry. The sophomore running back ended the day with 201 all-purpose yards thanks to his duties in the kick return game as well.

Sophomore linebacker Jarrett Wood had a phenomenal game to lead the Warrior defense, recording seven tackles – two of which were for a loss – and a sack, while also grabbing a 38-yard interception return and recovering a fumble as well.

Ian Murray also picked off a Cole Jaeschke pass in the game, while Anthony Catanese and Jeff Brown were credit with a full sack apiece. Tyler Kubler also had a pair of tackles-for-loss.

Winona State (4-3) now focuses on yet another big-time matchup at Warrior Stadium when it welcomes No. 19 Sioux Falls into town next Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. matchup in the annual Homecoming game.