SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State University football team travels to take on the University of Sioux Falls in a 1pm showdown at Bob Young Field on Saturday, Oct. 23.
The Warriors (4-3, 1-1 NSIC South) and the Cougars (5-2, 2-0 NSIC South) are each coming off home wins during week seven. WSU defeated Southwest Minnesota State 26-14 in the Battle for the Sledge, and USF defeated UMary 34-14.
Looking at common opponents, both Winona State and Sioux Falls have played Concordia-St. Paul, Northern State, SMSU, and UMary. Both teams have the same record against those four teams, 3-1, with the lone loss for both teams coming against Northern State.
In the matchup history between WSU and USF, each team has won four games. Winona State won the inaugural matchup in 2012, 10-9, and Sioux Falls won the most previous matchup in 2019, 34-12.
Sioux Falls opened the season with a loss to Bemidji State, but the Cougars have won five of their last six games, including each of their last three. USF's biggest win of the year came against No. 14 Augustana, as they beat the Vikings 28-26. The Cougars are averaging 31.7 points per game, while just giving up 19.4. USF has a very balanced offensive attack with just four yards separating their 1464 rushing yards and 1468 passing yards on the season.
Individually, Sioux Falls is led by Thuro Reisdorfer, who is averaging a NSIC-leading 112 rushing yards per game. Their quarterback, Adam Mullen, has thrown for an average of 202.7 yards per game with a total of 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. Mullen's favorite target is Dominic Pegley, who averages 74.6 receiving yards per game. On the defensive side of the ball, Harvey (Michael) Enalls leads USF with 27 tackles, while Carter Lohr has three interceptions on the year.
The Winona State Warriors rebounded nicely after back-to-back losses with a win over SMSU last weekend. WSU led nearly every offensive and defensive category, outgaining SMSU in total yards, 353 to 271. The Warriors' defensive front showed their prowess, holding SMSU to just 88 yards rushing and picking up four sacks. Winona State led the entirety of the game, holding off a late push by SMSU to secure a 26-12 victory.
As a team, Winona State is averaging 34.4 points per game and allowing 27.1 points per game. Even though several injuries have affected the backfield, the Warriors are averaging 122.1 rushing yards per game and throwing for 259.6 yards per game.
Individually,
Owen Burke continues his successful career and has climbed into third all-time in total passing yards within the Winona State history book with 6,517 total yards. He has also moved into fifth all-time with 56 passing touchdowns.
The Warriors have used a committee of running backs this season, and
Dominik London leads the way with 402 total yards.
Javian Roebuck scampered for a 38-yard gain last weekend, which is a hopeful sight for the WSU faithful as the Warriors enter the final stretch of the season. On the receiving end,
Jake Balliu and
Ethan Wittenburg lead Winona State with 24 receptions each. Wittenburg leads the team with five receiving touchdowns.
Defensively,
Clay Schueffner leads the way with 55 total tackles and
Mitch Snitker is not too far behind, with 52 tackles.
Carter Duxbury has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks as he has 7.5 sacks on the season, and 10.5 tackles for loss. Four different Warriors have recorded an interception on the year.
The Warriors will look to put together four solid quarters and hand Sioux Falls their first NSIC South Division loss.
The game will be live streamed on the NSIC Network and fans can also tune in to KQAL 89.5, the radio home of Winona State Athletics.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
@WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words:
Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
