BEMIDJI, Minn. - For the just the seventh time in program history, and the first time since 2017, the Winona State University football team will kick off in a NCAA Division II playoff game when WSU takes on Bemidji State University on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m.

The Warriors and Beavers will battle in Chet Anderson Stadium on the campus of Bemidji State, a venue that has already hosted the two teams this season when a Winona State comeback effort fell just short in a 34-24 setback. On that day, WSU notched two of the game's final three scores to close the gap after being down 16 points in the second half. 

Both Winona State (8-3, 5-1 NSIC South) and Bemidji State (9-2, 6-0 NSIC North) are in the 'Receiving Votes' category of the current AFCA Coaches' Poll. Prior to the setback earlier this season, Winona State had beaten BSU three straight times, winning 20-17 in 2015, notching a 30-20 victory in 2017 and by a 27-14 scoreline in 2019. WSU holds a slight edge at 4-3 in the last seven games since 2008. 

Saturday's showdown marks the first-ever home playoff game for Bemidji State and Winona State will look to contend with game day temperatures in the single digits. First-year head coach Brian Bergstrom has led his team - originally picked to finish sixth in the league - to an outstanding season which included earning a share of the NSIC South title and three wins over nationally-ranked teams during the regular season.  The winner of Saturday's contest will no doubt enjoy better playing conditions in the next round, as top-seeded Angelo State will host the winner between WSU and BSU on Saturday, Nov. 26 in San Angelo, Texas at 1 p.m.

For more on Saturday's NCAA Division II Football Playoff first round game, please read on. 

GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live stats, live radio and live video are available at the links above.
• The contest will take place in Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji, Minn. at 1 p.m. 
• Game day ticket sales are available 90 minutes before kickoff at the stadium; there are no pre-event or online ticket sales. 

WINONA STATE STORYLINES

• Winona State is ranked in the 'Receiving Votes' portion of the current AFCA poll. 
• The Warriors had ten players named All-NSIC earlier this week, including a South Division best four players on First Team Defense. Click here to read more.
• WSU standout Carter Duxbury was named the Glen Gallion Award winner by the NSIC Football coaches, given to a lineman with exemplary character and academics. 
• Winona State has the third best scoring defense in the NSIC, allowing just 18.4 points per game.
• WSU's offense is sixth in the league in average points scored at 28.8 per game. 
• Ty Gavin finished seventh in the NSIC with 766 rushing yards during the regular season to lead Winona State.
• Sam Santiago-Lloyd is tied for 7th in the NSIC with eight rushing touchdowns this season.
• Winona State has blocked three punts this season that have resulted in Warrior scores, the most in NCAA Division II.
• Kicker Jacob Scott finished the regular season second in the league in points scored by a kicker (77) and is fourth overall among all players. 
• Trevor Paulsen and Kyle Haas have split quarterback duties in games so far this year. Combined, they are 174-of-320 for 2,103 yards and 12 TD's.
• Darryl Williams leads Winona State in receiving with 445 yards, good for a 14.83 yards per catch. 
• As a returner, Darryl Williams is third in the NSIC in both punt return yards (262) and kick return yards (463). 
• QB Trevor Paulsen has the fewest interceptions (4) of any NSIC quarterback with at least 125 passing attempts. 
• Winona State picked up a high-profile transfer wide receiver in Ricky Smalling, who had a standout career at the University of Illinois. Smalling joins other former Big Ten athletes Noah Carlson (Michigan), Cooper Nelson (Wisconsin) and Dominik London (Minnesota) on the Warrior roster. 
• Sam Santiago-Lloyd has 502 yards on 142 carries this season and leads all WSU rushers with eight touchdowns. 
• Clay Schueffner finished tied for the lead in the NSIC in total tackles (103) and and second in the league in solo stops (59).
• Brian Corbins, Jr. leads Winona State in interceptions with three on the year. 
• Winona State is tied for the lead in the conference with 14 interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.
• Carter Duxbury earned the 2022 Glen Galligan Award, which is presented to a student-athlete who participates at their institution for four years and is academically superior while making a positive contribution to the institution.
• Winona State has scored 19 rushing touchdowns this year through six different players. 
• Head coach Brian Bergstrom is 8-3 in his first year at Winona State.

Bemidji State STORYLINES

• The Beavers are 9-2 on the year and 4-1 at home.
• BSU has won nine straight games. 
• The Beavers finished the regular season as the league's best scoring offense (40.4 points/game) and defense (17.5 points/game).
• BSU averages 489.8 yards of offense per game.
• Bemidji State's quarterback, Brandon Alt, was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 3,426 yards and 33 touchdowns.
• Alt's top target, Brendan Beaulieu, leads the NSIC with 1,307 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 118.8 yards per game.
• The BSU offensive line has allowed a league-low 66 sacks this season, while their defense has recorded 39 sacks.
• Bemidji State is tied for the lead in the conference with 14 interceptions.
• Brent Bolte has been the head coach for the Beavers since 2017.

WARRIOR NOTABLES:

• Winona State is 1-6 in program history in the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs. The Warriors win came against Emporia State, When WSU won 10-3 at home in 2003 during the first round.
• The Warriors were tabbed for fourth in the NSIC South and sixth place overall in the 2022 NSIC Football Poll. They finished the regular season with a share of the NSIC South Championship (5-1) and finished one game out of first place overall.
• The Winona State defense is first in the NSIC in Red Zone defense; WSU opponents have scored only 17 times on 34 attempts. 
• Winona State averages 41.82 yards per game in penalties while Warrior opponents draw an average of 56.64 penalty yards.
• The Warriors and Beavers have squared off on the gridiron 76 times dating back to 1932. WSU holds a 45-30-1 advantage over BSU, and are 4-3 since the 2008 season.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.

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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).