WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University Warriors opens a four-game stretch against NSIC North opponents on Saturday at Northern State University. Kickoff in Aberdeen, N.D. is set for 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The Warriors are looking to break out of their first two-game losing streak since 2015 after suffering recent setbacks to Upper Iowa and No. 1 Minnesota State Mankato. Winona State is 9-3 over its last nine road contests. The Warriors own a 26-13 all-time record against the Wolves, including 13 straight wins dating back to 2000.
Saturday's game will be broadcast online, on Midco Sports Network, and on HBC 24. The game can also be heard on KQAL Radio.
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A TALE OF TWO HALVES: After suffering a one-point upset to Upper Iowa in Week 3, the Warriors looked to bounce back on their home turf last week against the top-ranked Mankato Mavericks. WSU controlled the first half and went into the locker room with a 21-7 lead, only to see the Mavericks rattle off 24-unanswered points for a 31-21 win. The Warriors racked up 237 yards in the first half against the stout Mankato defense, but were held to just 68 total yards after halftime. The top-ranked Maverick run defense held WSU to under 100 yards rushing for the first time all season. Bruising backs Javian Roebuck and Sam Santiago-Lloyd will look to get the ground game back in motion against a Northern State team that has allowed over 200 rushing yards/game. The two running backs have each run for over 200 yards and combined for three rushing scores this year.
SCOUTING NORTHERN STATE: The Wolves (1-3) are also mired in a two-game losing streak after posting their lone win, a 42-16 triumph, over Minot State in Week 2. Northern State ranks in the middle of the conference in scoring offense (25.3 ppg) and scoring defense (28.8). The Wolves do have some offensive firepower and have averaged 389 yards of offense/game. Hunter Trautman is tied for the NSIC lead in passing touchdowns (9) and ranks third in passing yards (257/game). Dakota Larson and Jacob Streit have been on the receiving end of six of those touchdowns and combined for nearly 600 receiving yards. The Wolves defense has been vulnerable to the run, but ranks second in passing defense (180 yards/game).
MARIO PARTY: Junior safety Romario Gayle leads the team and ranks second in the NSIC with three interception this year, including one in each of the last two contests. He ranks third on the team in tackles (19). Gayle was named the 2017 "Battle of the Sledge" MVP after totaling eight tackles (3 TFL) and a forced fumble against SMSU.
CORNERED: The Warriors' two leading tacklers this season reside at the cornerback position in Isaiah Hall and Cole Monkton with 25 apiece. Hall has a team-best 5.5 tackles-for-loss while Monkton leads the way with six pass-breakups. The duo has combined for seven career interceptions and three forced fumbles.
POCKET PRESSURE: Defensive captain Michael Ferrante leads WSU with 2.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries this season. He also ranks second on the team with five tackles-for-loss. Justin Gross, Devon Moore and Quinton Reed have each total one sack and have combined for seven tackles-for-loss.
CHAIN GANG: The Warriors are among the best in the conference this season in making plays when they matter most. Winona State ranks fourth in the NSIC in third-down conversions (38.7%) while the defense ranks second in opponent third-down conversions (30.5%). The Warriors also rank fourth in the league in fourth-down conversions this year (60%).
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Sophomore quarterback Owen Burke has thrown at least one touchdown pass in all four games this season, and is tied for the NSIC lead with nine touchdowns. The Denver, Colorado native has completed at least 50 percent of his pass attempts each week and ranks fourth in the league in passing yards/game (247.5). Senior Isaiah Frandsen and junior Tanner Gran have hauled in 13 passes apiece and combined for five touchdowns catches. Sophomore receiver Tyler Anderson set career highs last week with four catches for 74 yards.
MARQUEE MATCHUPS: Following Saturday's tilt at Northern State, the Warriors return to Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium for Homecoming 2018. Winona State kicks off that ballgame against UMary at 2 p.m. Two weeks later, on Saturday, October 20 the Warriors host their third ranked opponent of the year in No. 8 Minnesota Duluth.
