WINONA, Minn. – The Warriors have been seeking more consistency on the gridiron. And, despite being thrown a wrinkle by Mother Nature with Winona State's Homecoming game delayed one day, the Warriors are now riding their first two-game winning streak of the season after a decisive 49-3 victory over Minot State University on Sunday afternoon at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Jake Balliu scored two touchdowns while the Warrior offense posted nearly 500 yards of total offense and the defense allowed three points or less for the second time this season.
The rout was on from the opening kickoff as Balliu returned his first attempt of the day 43 yards to set up Winona State's initial scoring drive. Owen Burke needed just five plays, connecting with Balliu twice, including a 27-yard touchdown pitch and catch.
Sam Santiago-Lloyd scored his first of two touchdowns of the day on the Warriors' next offensive possession. Landon Jacobson was the next Warrior to find the endzone early in the second quarter as the WSU lead swelled to 21-0 just minutes into the new frame. Jacobson also added a third quarter scoring scamper.
Santiago-Lloyd bullied the Beaver defense for seven yards per carry as he totaled 98 yards on just 14 touches. Jacobson added 55 rushing yards while Johnny Chamberlain and Miguel Benjamin combined for combined for an additional 105 yards on the ground.
Minot State broke the shutout with a field goal in the second quarter, but it hardly made it a dent in Winona State's 28-3 lead. Just for good measure, the Warriors tacked on 21 points in the third quarter to officially put the game out of reach.
The third quarter started just as the first had with Burke finding Balliu for a touchdown reception on the Warriors' first drive. Burke was solid on Sunday afternoon, throwing for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns while missing his target on just four attempts.
Senior quarterback John Rumpza also got in on the Homecoming fun with a 49-yard touchdown strike to Dakota Matthees late in the third frame.
The Winona State offense showed signs of improvement in the red zone on Sunday, scoring on five of six trips, all of which resulted in touchdowns.
Defensively, Richard Azunna was the Warriors' leading tackler (8). David Smith tallied six tackles and recovered a fumble, and Romario Gayle totaled two tackles and an interception. Winona State also limited Ali Mohamed, the second-leading rusher in the NSIC, to just nine yards on nine attempts.
The Warriors return to the road next weekend and will face one of the top teams in the NSIC North at Bemidji State University on Saturday, October 19. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
