WINONA, Minn. – Four weeks ago, Winona State University sat at 2-2 with its postseason hopes very much in the balance. Fast forward to Saturday at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium where the Warriors toppled St. Cloud University, 38-17, for their fourth straight win over an NSIC North foe.
It was another complete game for the Warriors, who improve to 6-2 on the year, with three weeks remaining on the regular season schedule.
WSU rushed for 130 yards on the ground, recorded two interceptions and had a blocked punt recovered for a touchdown in the three-phase triumph. The Warriors are now 6-0 this year when rushing for 90 yards or more as Sam Santiago-Lloyd led the ground attack with his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Owen Burke threw for 236 yards and a trio of touchdowns on the day, including a pair of scores to Jake Balliu in the first quarter.
Winona State marched down the field on the opening possession for an 11-play, 92-yard drive which was capped by a Burke to Balliu 26-yard touchdown connection to give the Warriors an early 7-0 lead. The Huskies answered right back on their first touch, also recording 11 plays on a 75-yard drive to quickly knot the score at 7-7.
The Warriors took it right back down the field against St. Cloud State as their next drive extended into the second quarter and concluded on a Santiago-Lloyd touchdown scamper for a 14-7 lead. And from there, Winona State would not relinquish its lead for the remainder of the contest.
The Warrior defense came up with a big third-down stop midway through the second quarter to hold the Huskies to a field goal as the home team's lead stood at 10-7. St. Cloud took over again late in the second frame with 2:14 left on the clock, looking to tie the game or take the lead into the half, but Clay Schueffner dashed the Huskies' hopes with his first of two interceptions on the day to send the Warrior offense back on the field.
Winona State cashed in quickly as Burke found Balliu once again with a touch pass that the speedy wideout took for 13 yards into the endzone to pad the Warrior lead to 21-10.
Schueffner struck again in the final minute of the quarter to once more deny St. Cloud's scoring attempt before the break.
In the third quarter, Nick Delporte blocked a would-be St. Cloud punt with the Huskies already backed up into their own endzone and Ryan Kusch dove on the loose ball for another WSU score. The Warrior defense came right back out and force a quick three-and-out, concluding with a sack by Quinton Reed, which preceded a Burke to Sawyer Maly 54-yard touchdown strike on the ensuing possession.
Paul Ortiz added a 49-yard fourth quarter field goal to cap the Winona scoring before St. Cloud finally cracked the endzone again in the waning minutes of the ballgame.
Isaiah Hall led the defense with seven tackles and added one pass breakup. Trey Telez and Joe Perhats joined Reed in the sack column as the latter also had a pair of quarterback hurries.
Balliu totaled 94 all-purpose yards for WSU as he returned four punts for 46 yards.
The Warriors return to NSIC South competition next week as they travel to Southwest Minnesota State University in the annual "Battle for the Sledge" game. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 2 in Marshall, Minnesota.
