MARSHALL, Minn. – The Winona State University defense burrier Southwest Minnesota State for a season-high seven sacks while the Warrior offense continued to hum in a 41-13 stampede of the Mustangs on Saturday afternoon at the Schwan Regional Event Center.
Winona State (7-2) continued to pad its postseason resume with its fifth straight win overall. SMSU falls to 3-6 after going winless at home in the 2019 campaign.
The victory ensured The Sledge, sponsored by Big Athletics/Adidas, would return to Winona for the fourth straight year in the annual battle's fifth year of existence. Senior linebacker Nick Pridgeon was awarded the game's individual MVP Award after a monster day that included 12 tackles (2.5 TFL) and 1.5 sacks.
Saturday's tilt marked the first time this season the Warrior defense, which leads all Division II teams in interceptions (17), failed to force a turnover. That didn't prevent the swarming unit from leaving its stamp on the game as seven different players tallied at least half a sack – led by Michael Gomez (2).
Offensively, Winona State gained 451 total yards, including 175 on the ground. Sam Santiago-Lloyd produced 140 yards and two scores for his third straight outing over 100 yards rushing. The junior has already rushed for a career-best 950 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Since their last loss on September 28, when the Warriors were stymied for just six points against nationally-ranked Minnesota State, Winona State has averaged 36.6 points over its current five-game winning streak. The Warriors are outscoring their opponents, 183-73, over that span.
Winona State broke open Saturday's contest with a 21-point outburst in the third quarter. The Warriors led 7-0 after one quarter and took a 14-6 lead into halftime as both teams scored in the final two minutes of the second quarter.
Owen Burke connected with Jaylen Schleicher for a 54-yard strike as the second frame clock ticked under one minute. That scoring drive was set up by a big defensive stop that saw the Warriors stuff the Mustangs twice on 3rd-and-4 at the WSU 25-yard line.
SMSU received the ensuing kickoff with just 46 seconds remaining in the first half but was able to drive 60 yards over five plays to find the endzone for the first time. The Mustangs missed the PAT which preserved a 14-6 WSU lead at the break.
A 51-yard Isaiah Hall kick return opened the third quarter and set the tone for the second half blowout. Four plays later, Santiago-Lloyd bullied his way into the endzone for the second time to pad the WSU lead at 21-6.
John Rumpza took over under center for the Warriors in the second half and hooked up with Schleicher for a 22-yard pitch and catch midway through the third frame. Schleicher, a sophomore tight end, registered a career-best 76 receiving yards and two scores. Jake Balliu led the receiving core with five catches for 90 yards.
Landon Jacobson capped the Warriors' big third quarter with a rushing touchdown and Jonny Chamberlain also scampered into the endzone in the fourth quarter.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Clay Schueffner continued his solid play of late, posting 11 tackles (1.5 TFL), half a sack and one pass breakup. Gomez was behind the line of scrimmage all day with eight tackles, including 3.0 TFL.
The Warriors return home on Senior Day next Saturday for a game with huge playoff ramifications against Augustana University. WSU was ranked No. 9 in this week's Super Region Four and Augie was No. 7. The top seven seeds in each region reach the NCAA Playoffs. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
