WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University has plenty to play for in Thursday night's NSIC/Midco Sports Network Game of the Week as the Upper Iowa Peacocks visit Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with Game Day Experience open on Johnston Street at 5 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to wear black to this week's game.
The Warriors are not only looking to shake off last week's 34-12 setback at Sioux Falls, but also avenge a one-point loss at Upper Iowa last season. WSU will need to take care of business on its home field ahead of next Saturday's huge matchup at Mankato.
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SCOUTING UIU: The Peacocks (0-2) will look to repeat recent history after a winless start in 2018 was snapped with a 34-33 upset victory over Winona State in Fayette, Iowa. UIU scored 20 points in the fourth quarter of that contest, including 14-unaswered points over the final five minutes. The Peacocks have allowed an average of 40 points/game to begin the year after being blanked in their 2019 opener at Augustana, 52-0, and suffering a narrow 28-23 loss last week to CSP. Jake Schuman threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns in last week's setback. Alexander Stevens was on the receiving end of all three touchdown pass, totaling seven catches for 81 yards. After being held to just seven yards on the ground against Augie, Matt McDonald rushed for 89 yards on 24 carries last week for Upper Iowa.
THREE UP, THREE DOWN: In Winona State's Week 1 victory over Wayne State, Owen Burke completed 69.7% of his passes, threw for 313 yards and 3 touchdowns – all career highs. Last week, Burke completed just 43.2% of his passes for 179 yards and had 3 interceptions (career high). Burke connected with 12 different receivers in Week 1, including touchdown passes to true freshman Sawyer Maly, redshirt freshman Dakota Matthees and sophomore Tyler Knutson. Maly has already emerged as the Warriors' deep threat down the field as Burke has taken multiple home run shots per game to the speedy young receiver.
PURPLE & BALLIU: Redshirt junior Jake Balliu has established himself as Burke's go-to receiver through two games – which comes as no surprise to Warrior fans who have watched the elusive receiver over the years. After missing seven games due to injury in 2018, Balliu has returned to lead the team in catches (11) and yards (123). He enters this week with 44 catches for 547 yards and three TDs in his career. Balliu is also an explosive threat in the return game, having racked up 1,755 combined yards with four touchdowns in his career, but has been limited this season with opposing kickers electing to avoid sending the ball his way.
YOU GO, WE GO: Dating back to the 2016 season, Winona State has rushed for at least 90 yards in a game 24 times and has posted a 22-2 record in those contests. The Warriors chewed up 222 yards on the ground in Week 1 vs. Wayne State led by Sam Santiago-Lloyd (83 yards), Landon Jacobson (49 yards/1 TD) and Javian Roebuck (42 yards). Roebuck, a 2017 First Team All-Conference recipient, exited that game early due to injury and missed last week at Sioux Falls. With Roebuck sidelined, WSU was limited to just 49 yards on the ground. Expect a bounce back game from Santiago-Lloyd and the ground attack this week against an Upper Iowa defense that has yielded 208.5 rushing yards/game.
GIVE ME MOORE: Flanked by defensive captains Devon Moore and Nick Pridgeon, the Warriors feature one of the best linebacker groups in the NSIC. That reputation has forced opposing teams to scheme away from the dynamic duo as the pair has recorded just nine tackles apiece through two games. Pridgeon, the NSIC South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, has also recorded 1.5 TFL. Expect a breakout game on the horizon for WSU's distributive linebackers.
SECOND TO NONE: Ranked third in the country in takeaways in 2017 with 37 and ninth in 2018 with 28, the Winona State defense currently ranks second in the NSIC with four INTs through two games. Safety Cam Gavin, who missed 10 games last year, returned with a pair of picks in Week 1 and 2018 All-American Isaiah Hall intercepted Sioux Falls on its opening drive last week. Cornerback Cole Monckton currently leads the team solo tackles (10) and total tackles (14).
