BISMARCK, N.D. – In the fourth week of the season the Winona State Warriors (3-1) spoiled the University of Mary's (0-4) homecoming celebration with a 51-0 win on the road. The senior quarterback reached 10,000 career passing yards in the second quarter, he is the second NSIC quarterback to reach 10,000 career passing yards.
 
The win was the Warriors second shutout of the season. It is the first time since 2007 that the Warriors have produced two shutouts in a single season.
 
The Warriors forced a fast three and out on the Marauder's first possession of the game and didn't take their time in scoring, doing so on a three play, 59-yard drive lasting only 1:06. Senior receiver Cameron Johnson caught a twenty-eight-yard touchdown pass from Jack Nelson. It was the fifth straight game with a touchdown catch for Johnson.
 
Winona State scored touchdowns on both of their remaining possessions of the first quarter, both of which followed Marauder punts. The first Warrior score was on a five play, 57-yard drive when running back Paul Preston scampered for a 14-yard touchdown. The final Warriors possession of the quarter led to another seven points on Jack Nelson's second touchdown of the game. Nelson connected with red-shirt freshman Connor Schulz on a 13-yard score, making the score 21-0.
 
The second quarter picked up where the first left off. The Warriors once again capitalized after a Mary punt with a six play 69-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 25-yard rush by Preston for the senior's second touchdown run of the game.
 
The second and final score of the quarter was on a 35-yard field goal by freshman kicker Nathaniel Gennrich, making the score 31-0 Warriors, at the half. The field goal was set up by Mary's fifth consecutive punt to begin the game.
 
The second half started with another Winona State score. The opening drive spanned eight plays that covered 56-yards ending with Preston's third and final touchdown of the game.
 
Mary's following possession ended on a failed fourth down conversion that was once again followed up with a Winona State touchdown, this time by sophomore running back Eric Birth. The touchdown came on a four play 45-yard possession, capped off by a five-yard rushing score from Birth for the final score of the third quarter, making it 45-0.
 
The fourth quarter saw two Marauder possessions both end in punts. Winona State capitalized on the first punt with an eight play, 67-yard touchdown possession ending with a ten-yard pass from back up junior quarterback Darren Beenken to sophomore receiver Elliot Cox. The touchdown would be the last of the game and Winona State left Bismarck with a 51-0 victory.
 
Quick Hitters

• The Warriors outgained the Marauders 652-145 including 321 rushing yards and 331 yards passing.
• Jack Nelson finished with 279 yards passing with two touchdown passes on 16 completions. The 279 yards allowed Nelson to surmount the 10,000-yard mark in his career.
• Nelson now has 88 career touchdown passes, most in NSIC history.
• The Warriors defense has allowed just 41 points through the first four games this season, the fewest since the 1964 season. The 64' team allowed just 28 points though the first four games.
• Winona State had two 100-yard rushers on the day. Paul Preston finished with 146-yards and three scores while Eric Birth gained 113-yards including one score. It was a new career high for Birth.
• Preston's 146-yard game got him to 2,440 career yards, placing him fifth all-time in Winona State rushing, passing Dan Thill.
• The three rushing touchdowns by Preston was a career best for a single game. He also now has over 1,000 career kick return yards after a 43-yard kick return on Saturday.
• Cameron Johnson lead all receivers with 169-yards on eight receptions including one touchdown. The 169 yards receiving is a new career high for Johnson and his touchdown reception was his fifth consecutive game with a score.
• Johnson's eight receptions were good enough to move him up to eight all-time in Warrior receptions with 129 passing Adam Lilla. His touchdown also ties him at ninth in all-time Warrior receiving touchdowns at 23 with Dan Schumacher.
• The Warrior's shutout defense was led by Clint Warminski who had eight total tackles.
• Michael Ferrante recorded the Warriors only sack of the game, he finished with six total tackles. He led the team with three tackles-for-loss.
• Next week Winona State faces off against rival Minnesota State Mankato in Winona, kick-off is scheduled for 1 P.M.

 
- Jake Thiede