WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State enjoys back-to-back home games for the first time this season when Southwest Minnesota State University comes to Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium for the fourth annual "Battle for the Sledge", presented by BIG Athletics. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Warriors (5-3) and Mustangs (4-4) have played identical schedules this season and are each coming off four straight games against NSIC North opponents as they resume South Division action.
The game will be broadcast locally on HBC 25, online at WinonaStateWarriors.com and on KQAL Radio.
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SCOUTING SMSU: The Mustangs have won four of their last five games after beginning the season on a three-game skid. Similar to Winona State, SMSU hung 50 points on both UMary and Crookston in recent weeks. The two teams match up closely in the stat column with SMSU averaging 28.3 ppg compared to 31.9 for WSU. SMSU holds a slight edge in total offensive yardage (390.1-377.4). Defensively, the Mustangs have allowed 26.3 ppg while WSU has averaged 23.3 ppg. SMSU's Blake Gimbel is one of the best quarterbacks in the NSIC, ranking second in yards/game (283.8), completion percentage (62%) and touchdowns (20). Daniel Davis ranks second in the league in receiving yards (824) and has been on the receiving end of nine touchdown passes. Max Simmons is the Mustangs' leading rusher with 464 total yards and three scores.
HISTORY: Winona State leads the all-time series with SMSU, 28-20, including wins in six of the last nine meetings. The Warriors are seeking their third straight "Sledge" victory after SMSU won the first-ever "Battle" in 2015. During warmups of the WSU/SMSU game on Oct. 4, 2008, a WSU player brought a sledgehammer to midfield while SMSU players looked on. SMSU won that game, snapping the Warriors' seven-game winning streak in the series. Following the game, SMSU players ran over to the WSU sideline and grabbed the sledgehammer, celebrating the victory at midfield. From there, the rivalry was born.
SLEDGE LEGENDS: Last season, the Warriors flexed their defensive muscles, holding SMSU to 178 yards of total offense and forced five turnovers. Romario Gayle had a team-high eight tackles (3 TFL) and recovered a fumble in a 45-7 WSU win while being named WSU's "Battle for the Sledge" MVP. In 2016, running back and current WSU coach, Paul Preston earned MVP honors in the contest after rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-27 Warrior win. SMSU's Gimbel was limited to just 170 passing in the 2016 matchup and did not play in last year's meeting.
MR. CONSISTENT: Dating back to last season, sophomore Owen Burke has thrown at least one touchdown in all 11 of his career starts. He has thrown for at least two touchdowns in six of those games, including last year's meeting at SMSU. Burke ranks fourth among NSIC quarterbacks this season in touchdown passes (16) and is fifth in yards/game (221.3). Last week, Burke connected with senior Isaiah Frandsen for 108 yards and a touchdown. Frandsen, who is tied for the team lead with Tanner Gran in touchdowns (5), recorded his third 100-yard receiving game of the season and fourth of his WSU career. Frandsen has hauled in 12 touchdowns in two years as a Warrior (tied for 19th most all-time).
SACK LUNCH: Senior defensive end Michael Ferrante enters Saturday with 14.5 career sacks and is just one shy of claiming sole possession of 10th place all-time in program history. The two-time All-NSIC Second Team recipient leads the team this year in sacks (3.5), quarterback hurries (3) and is second in tackles-for-loss (7.0). The defensive captain has helped hold opponents to a 29.5 conversion percentage on third down which ranks 23rd in the country. Devon Moore and Cole LaLiberty each have two sacks on the year.
CORNERED: The Warriors' two leading tacklers this season reside at the cornerback position in Isaiah Hall (43) and Cole Monckton (42). Monckton leads the team with 11 pass-breakups while Hall ranks third with 5.5 tackles-for-loss. The duo has combined for seven career interceptions and three forced fumbles.
IN THE RED: Saturday's matchup could come down to which team produces more points in the red zone. SMSU enters the game 23-29 in red zone chances with 21 touchdowns. Conversely, Winona State has struggled to punch the ball over the goal line this season. The Warriors are 22-30 in red zone scoring, but have been limited to 13 touchdowns in those chances.
