WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Warriors return to Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium for the final game of the 2018 campaign against Concordia University, St. Paul. Kickoff against the Golden Bears on Saturday is set for 1 p.m.
Game Day Experience opens at 11 a.m. on Johnson Street.
The Warriors have won five of their last six games and look to reach the eight-win plateau for the third consecutive season. Saturday's regular season finale also marks Senior Day as WSU will honor its 12 seniors during starting lineups prior to kickoff.
The game will be broadcast live online, on HBC 25 and on the air with KQAL Radio.
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SCOUTING CSP: The Golden Bears (5-5) are coming off a 16-10 road win at SMSU last Saturday – just their second victory away from home this year. CSP has struggled to put points on the board this season, ranking 12th in the NSIC in scoring offense (20.9 ppg). However, the Golden Bear defense (23.6 ppg) ranks just below Winona State (23.2 ppg). Offensively, CSP relies heavily on the running game which accounts for 173.1 yards of its 344.6 yards/game. Lajuan Preston ranks seventh in the NSIC in total rushing (607) and is ninth in yards/game (60.7), but has only crossed the goal line once this year. Quarterback Dom McKinzy is next with 440 rushing yards and a team-best three rushing touchdowns. McKinzy is averaging fewer than 150 yards passing/game and has thrown nine interceptions compared to 11 touchdowns. MJ Williams is the leading receiver with 39 catches for 595 yards and four scores.
RIPE FOR THE PICKING: The Warrior defense has held its opponent to under 100 yards rushing five times this season, including four of the last five games. If WSU can successfully take away Concordia's biggest offensive threat, the Warrior secondary could have a big day against McKinzy. Winona State ranks third in the NSIC in interceptions (13), including four over the last two games. Isaiah Hall picked off two last week while Alonzo Alexander recorded his first career pick-six. Eight different Warriors have at least one interception this season led by Romario Gayle (4). WSU ranks 12th in Division II in total turnovers gained (23) and is second in the country in defensive touchdowns (5). Over the last 19 games dating back to last season, WSU has scored 12 defensive touchdowns and added three safeties.
CORNERED: Two of the Warriors' leading tacklers this season reside at the cornerback position in Isaiah Cole Monckton (58) and Hall (52). Monckton leads the team with 13 pass-breakups followed by Hall (8) who also had a pick-six two weeks ago. The duo has combined for 10 career interceptions and three forced fumbles.
RETURN TO SENDER: Last week, senior Elliot Cox opened WSU's 34-20 victory at Augustana with a bang, returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for his first career kick return touchdown. The Warriors have showcased plenty of depth at the return position this year with Jake Balliu, Tanner Gran and Darryl Williams each suffering injuries. Hall ranks third in the NSIC in kickoff returns this season with 26 yards/attempt. Additionally, Winona State ranks 15th in the country in punt returns (15.29 yards/attempt).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Sophomore quarterback Owen Burke has been a model of consistency under center for the Warriors in his young career. Dating back to last season, Burke has thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of his 13 career starts. The Lakewood, Colorado native ranks fourth in the NSIC this season in touchdown passes (20) and fifth in yards/game (220.6). Burke has six multi-TD games this season, including four games with three scores. Senior Isaiah Frandsen leads the team in catches (35) and yards (639). His 18.3 yards/catch rank third in the NSIC and he is sixth in the league with eight touchdowns. Frandsen's 15 career touchdown catches over the past two seasons rank 16th in program history.
LEAVING THEIR MARK: Along with Frandsen's touchdown mark, another trio of Warriors being honored on Senior Day have also etched their names in the record book. Winona native Eric Birth enters play ranked 17th in program history in rushing yards (1,533) while adding 21 touchdowns over his four-year career. Fellow Winona native Michael Russell recorded the longest punt in program history in 2015 (86 yards) and ranks sixth all-time in career punting average (36.9 yards/punt). WSU's Gene Upshaw Award nominee, Michael Ferrante, ranks 10th all-time in career sacks (16.5).
SENIOR SEND OFF: Winona State's complete senior class to be recognized prior to kickoff on Saturday includes: Eric Birth, Will Claussen, Elliott Cox, Michael Ferrante, Isaiah Frandsen, Josh Hawes, Aikan Major, Max Mueller, Nick Pridgeon, Greg Rooney, Michael Russell and Colin Valley. The four-year members of that group have compiled a combined 30-14 record, and hosted an NCAA Playoff game last season.
CRAZY EIGHT: A triumph on Saturday would give the Warriors their third consecutive season with at least eight wins. It would also mark the 14th such occurrence in head coach Tom Sawyer's 23-year WSU tenure. The Warriors have already secured their 20th winning season with Sawyer at the helm.
