FAYETTE, Iowa - The Winona State Warriors (5-1, 2-0 NSIC South) went on the road this week looking to spoil their second straight opposing Homecoming, this time versus the Upper Iowa Peacocks (1-5, 0-2 NSIC South). Solid games from Jack Nelson and Cameron Johnson paired with a stout defensive performance allowed the Warriors to leave Fayette with their fourth straight victory, winning 27-13.
 
Freshman receiver Tanner Gran got things started with a 48-yard opening kick-off return but the Warriors couldn't capitalize after their ten play, 23-yard drive was halted when Carter McCauley's 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
 
Looking to take advantage of the blocked field goal, the Peacocks following possession saw initial success until their ten play, 57-yard possession was thwarted by an interception and 11-yard return by junior linebacker Mike Imperiale.
 
Following a Winona State three and out and an Upper Iowa missed 40-yard field goal, the Warriors drove the ball down the field on an eight play, 36-yard drive, getting into Peacock territory. Unfortunately, Jack Nelson's pass was intercepted, ending a scoreless first quarter of play.
 
The Warriors continued to play hardnosed defense, forcing Upper Iowa to punt after a three and out capped off by a third down sack by Imperiale. The Winona State offense didn't waste any more time, getting the first points of the game on a 33-yard touchdown reception by Cameron Johnson. The score was Nelson's 100th overall touchdown.
 
Upper Iowa was quick to respond with a score of their own, doing so on a two yard passing touchdown from Dimitri Morales to Jarred Edmonds. The Warriors were able to keep their lead as the extra point attempt was blocked by junior lineman Victor Cieslak, making the score 7-6.
 
With the second half winding down the Warriors converted on a fourth and ten with a 36-yard completion from Nelson to Johnson down to the Upper Iowa three-yard line. The Peacock's followed the conversion with a crucial stop, forcing a fumble on a rush by Patrick Baumann, ending the low scoring half at 7-6.
 
The next Upper Iowa possession ended with a punt after a sack by defensive tackle Michael Gomez, Jake Balliu had a 40-yard return on the punt, getting the ball to the Peacock 33-yard line. Winona State was quick to capitalize on the good field position with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Johnson making the score 14-6.
 
The Warrior special teams got involved in the scoring when Andrew Spencer blocked a punt and Elliot Cox took the loose ball 25 yards for a touchdown.
 
Upper Iowa countered with their first points of the second half on a four play, 79-yard drive that was capped off with a 68-yard touchdown pass from Morales to Skyler Lehman. The touchdown brought the score to 21-13.
 
The following Warrior drive was given a spark thanks to Balliu's 66-yard kick return. McCauley would connect on a 28-yard field goal capping off an eight play, 23-yard drive. The third quarter would end with the Warriors leading 24-13.
 
The NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week, McCauley, opened up scoring in the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal.
 
The Peacock's attempt to counter with a score ended with another Warrior interception, this time by senior linebacker Travis Frank.
 
Imperiale sealed the victory with his second interception of the game on a tipped pass, giving the Warriors their fifth victory on the season.
 
Quick Hitters:

• Nelson extended his streak of games with a passing touchdown to 38. His two passing touchdowns gives him 101 overall, 94 passing with 7 rushing.
• Nelson finished with 255 yards passing on 21 completions and is now 206 yards' shy of former University of Minnesota quarterback Adam Webber, who has the fourth spot on the state of Minnesota's all-time NCAA passing leaders list.
• Cameron Johnson finished with 148 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions.
• This was Johnson's seventh straight game with a touchdown grab.
• With his two touchdown receptions Johnson has now passed Chad Fitzsimmons for eighth in Winona State history with 26.
• Johnson also passed Fitzsimmons for seventh all-time in receptions with 144.
• Johnson milestones didn't stop there as he passed Matt Juaire for tenth all-time with 2,219 yards receiving.
• Imperiale had a solid day defensively with two interceptions, one sack, and seven total tackles.
• Aikan Major led the defense with nine total tackles followed by Andrew Spencer who had eight.
• Spencer also had a blocked punt and a forced fumble.
• Jake Balliu had two kick returns for 91 yards averaging 45.5 yards per return accompanied with three punt returns for 73 yards with a long of 40.

Next week the Warriors will celebrate homecoming against the ninth ranked Cougars of the University of Sioux Falls. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
 
By Jake Theide