WINONA, Minn. – (RV) Winona State University looks to bounce back after a shocking 34-33 loss to the previously winless Upper Iowa Peacocks last week. No. 2 Minnesota State Mankato travels to Winona with a 3-0 record. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
WSU is 11-2 on its home field over the last three seasons, including a 34-31 win over Mankato at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium in 2016. The Warriors have won two of their last three matchups against the Mavericks in tightly-contested games, prevailing by a combined seven points in those victories.
The Warriors will wear black on Saturday and fans are encouraged to do the same to "blackout" the stadium and create an extra home field advantage.
Warrior Game Day Experience opens at 11 a.m. on Johnson Street. Winona State students are encouraged to sign up for the Dr Pepper Dash for Cash ($500 Scholarship) at the Leighton Broadcasting Booth near the Student Zone.
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MOVING ON: To borrow a phrase from New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, the Winona State Warriors are "On to Mankato." The Warriors will need to put last week's upset at the hands of Upper Iowa in the rearview window and focus on the No. 2-ranked Mavericks. Mankato enters the tilt leading the NSIC in total offense (543 yards/game), ranking second in rushing offense (279.3) and third in scoring (44.3 ppg). The Maverick own the league's best rushing defense (66.3 yards/game) and rank fourth in scoring defense (20.7 ppg). Mankato squeaked by Augustana in Week 2 with a two-point victory, but outscored SMSU and CSP by a combined 69 points.
DEFENDED: In last season's 27-6 loss at Mankato, the Warrior defense held the Mavericks to their lowest scoring output of the regular season. Mankato and Winona rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in total defense this season. WSU ranks third in the NSIC in interceptions (4) this year as Romario Gayle has recorded two for the Warriors. The Mankato defense has yet to intercept a pass this season. Last year's matchup featured a combined five INTs.
10 + 18 = 6: Quarterback Owen Burke has continued to show improvement each week of his sophomore campaign, throwing for a career-best 282 yards last week at Upper Iowa. After a compiling a modest stat line of five catches for 81 yards over his first two games, senior Isaiah Frandsen flashed his play-making ability at UIU with four catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns. It marked Frandsen's second 100-yard receiving game and third multi-TD game in a Warrior uniform. A 2017 NSIC Second Team selection, Frandsen led WSU in catches (37), yards (620) and touchdowns (7) a year ago.
SPREAD THE WEALTH: Burke enters Saturday ranked fifth in the NSIC in passing yards/game (244.3) and is tied for the league lead in touchdowns (8). Burke has utilized a slew of weapons offensively, connecting with nine different receivers through three games. Frandsen, Jake Balliu, Tanner Gran and Greg Rooney have each hauled in a pair of touchdown passes. Balliu leads the receiving core with 13 catches for 191 yards.
WHAT A RUSH: For the second straight week, sophomore Sam Santiago-Lloyd led the team in touches from the backfield at Upper Iowa. Santiago-Lloyd has rushed for over 70 yards in each of the last two games, finding the end zone last week while totaling a career-best 79 yards rushing. His 189 rushing yards this season lead WSU and rank just ahead of Javian Roebuck's 180 yards (6.4 yards/carry). Senior Eric Birth has been limited to just 12 carries through three games with Roebuck and Santiago-Lloyd carrying a bulk of the volume.
HALL MONITOR: Sophomore speedster Isaiah Hall has shined on special teams and the defensive side of the ball this season. The defensive back leads the team in solo tackles (13), total tackles (21) and tackles-for-loss (5.5). Additionally, he has forced two fumbles, recorded one pass breakup and half a sack. In the return game, Hall has accumulated 220 yards on eight kickoffs, and his 27.5 return average ranks fourth in the NSIC.
IN THE RED: Through three games, WSU has struggled to cross the goal line upon reaching the red zone. Despite 11 total touchdowns this season, the Warriors are just 2-10 on touchdowns in the red zone. Overall, Winona State is 6-10 on scoring opportunities in the red zone. On the flip side, of the 11 defensive touchdowns allowed, opponents are 10-12 in red zone chances; each resulting in touchdowns.
SCHEDULE NOTES: Following Saturday's pivotal NSIC South meeting with No. 2 Minnesota State, the Warriors have two more upcoming marquee matchups at home. The Warriors will host UMary on Saturday, October 6 in the 2018 Homecoming Game and welcome No. 11 Minnesota Duluth on Saturday, October 20.
