SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State University used a 24-point fourth quarter over Augustana University on a cold and damp Saturday afternoon to come away from Kirkeby-Over Stadium with a 34-20 triumph. The Warriors have now won five of their last six games as they return home for Senior Day next weekend.
The injury bug has plagued Winona State all season long, but that wouldn't deter the Warriors' fourth-string kick returner from starting the contest out with a bang. Senior Elliot Cox took the opening kickoff 93 yards for his first career return touchdown to set up a big day for the WSU special teams.
The reigning NSIC Special Teams Player of the Week, Paul Ortiz, battled the adverse conditions for a pair of second half field goals. His first from 22 yards out padded the Warrior lead at 10-3 in the third quarter and his 38-yard effort in the fourth quarter knotted the score at 13-13, and was the catalyst for 17-unanswered points by the Warriors in the final frame.
Following Ortiz's fourth quarter field goal, the Warrior defense stood firm for a three-and-out against the Viking offense which resulted in a blocked punt by Ryan Ford and set up the WSU offense at the Augustana two-yard line. Three plays, Owen Burke found his favorite receiver, Isaiah Frandsen, crossing into the end zone for a touchdown.
The ensuing Vikings possession resulted in an Alonzo Alexander interception which the junior defensive back returned 40 yards for a score. Isaiah Hall added a pair of interceptions on the day against the league's most prolific passer, Kyle Saddler.
Saddler did rack up 394 yards passing, but over 100 of those yards came late in the fourth quarter with Augustana trailing big as the quarterback uncorked 65 passes on the day.
After Saddler connected with Nickel Meyers for the second time in the end zone for a fourth quarter touchdown, Winona State recovered the ensuing Viking on-side kick and senior Eric Birth exploded for 47 yards on two rushes to put the exclamation point in the Warrior win with a 37-yard touchdown scamper.
Burke went 13-25 under center for WSU for 142 yards and one score. Connor Schulz was the leading receiver with five catches for 63 yards.
David Smith led the defense with a career-best 12 tackles in the win. Cole Monckton added 10 (9 solo) and recorded one Winona State's seven pass breakups in the game. For the fifth time this season, WSU limited its opponent to less than 100 yards rushing. The Vikings' 68 yards rushing were their second-fewest all season.
The Warriors improve to 7-3 on the season while Augustana falls to 6-4.
Winona State hosts Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday, November 10 for Senior Day. The final game of the regular season is slated to kick off at 1 p.m. at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
