WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University concludes the road portion of its 2018 schedule at Augustana University. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
The Warriors and Vikings enter the tilt tied for third in the NSIC South Division (3-2). Both teams have won four of their last five games, and Augustana is riding a three-game winning streak.
Last season, WSU snapped its three-game skid against the Vikings with a dominant 52-21 victory. Two of Augustana's wins in that stretch came by one point. The Vikings lead the all-time series, 7-5.
Live coverage will be provided by Augustana University as well as KQAL Radio and HBC 24.
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SCOUTING AUGIE: The Vikings (6-3) enter Saturday with the same record as the Warriors. The only difference in the two team's records are their results against Upper Iowa and Sioux Falls. Augustana ranks third in the NSIC in scoring average (36.8 ppg), but ranks ninth in scoring defense (27.4 ppg). The Warriors average 32.6 ppg (6th) and allow 23.6 ppg (5th). The Vikings and quarterback Kyle Saddler lead the league in passing (300.6 yards/game). Saddler also has an NSIC-best 24 touchdown passes. Augustana's total passing offense (305.4 ypg) ranks 10th in the country. Rudolh Sinflorant leads the Vikings' ground attack with seven touchdowns and ranks fourth in the NSIC in yards/game (98.6). The Vikings rank second in the nation in first downs gained (240).
KEY MATCHUP: Augustana's stout special teams unit will face its toughest test of the season when the Warriors come to town, and the battle for field position could go a long way in determining the outcome of Saturday's contest. The Vikings rank third in the country in kickoff return defense (13.13 yards/return). Return specialist Isaiah Hall is averaging 27.47 yards/return, including three for over 40 yards this season. Last week, he moved into 15th place all-time in career kickoff return yardage (822). Hall is averaging 17.78 yards on punt returns where the Vikings have not had nearly as much success defensively.
DEEP THREATS: Another matchup to keep an eye on this weekend will be at the wide receiver position as the game features two of the league's best in Augustana's Nickel Meyers and Winona State's Isaiah Frandsen. Meyers ranks second in the NSIC in touchdowns (10) and is fourth in yards/game (91.7). Frandsen is averaging 69.9 yards/game, ranks third in the conference in yards/catch (19.1) and is sixth in touchdown catches (7). Last week, Frandsen tallied his second multi-TD effort of the season and fourth in the last two seasons. He has three 100-yard reception games this year and four over the last two years. Frandsen's 14 touchdowns over his two-year WSU career are tied for 16th in program history.
MR. CONSISTENT: Slinging the ball down field and to Frandsen and the rest of the Warrior receivers is sophomore quarterback Owen Burke. Dating back to last season, has thrown at least one touchdown in all 12 of his career starts. Burke has thrown for at least two touchdowns in seven of those games, including last week when he matched his career high with a three-touchdown outing for the fourth time this year. Burke's 294 yards passing were also a career-best last Saturday against SMSU. Burke ranks fourth in the NSIC in touchdowns (19) and is fifth in yards/game (229.3).
SACK LUNCH: Last week, the Warrior defense feasted on the Mustangs' offensive line, getting to the quarterback for a season-high 7.0 sacks. Winona State also set new high-water marks for tackles-for-loss (13.0) and quarterback hurries (5). WSU held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this season, including a season-low 37 yards to the Mustangs. Defensive captain Michael Ferrante was named the "Battle for the Sledge" MVP after recording 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, four QB hurries and one forced fumble. Ferrante's 16.5 career sacks ranks 10th in program history. Devon Moore and Cole LaLiberty were each in on the sack party last Saturday as well and rank second on the team this year with 3.5 sacks apiece.
CORNERED: Two of the Warriors' leading tacklers this season reside at the cornerback position in Isaiah Hall (48) and Cole Monckton (48). Monckton leads the team with 12 pass-breakups while Hall ranks third with 5.5 tackles-for-loss. Last week, Hall recorded his first career pick-six late in the fourth quarter to help seal a Warrior win. The duo has combined for eight career interceptions and three forced fumbles.
SPECIAL WEEK: Junior kicker Paul Ortiz was named the NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week after his best performance in a Warrior uniform to date. Ortiz accounted for nine of Winona State's 16 first-half points, with booming field goals from 49 and 50 yards, and another from 32 yards. He also added a 38-yard field goal in the second half while chipping in a pair of extra points in the victory.
