MINOT, N.D. – The Brian Bergstrom era is set to kick off along with the 2022 Winona State University football season when the Warriors take on the Minot State Beavers on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. 

Head coach Brian Bergstrom said, "Every month of the year in college football year is like a chapter in the big story.  We couldn't be more excited to step into the new chapter titled 'The Season'.  Our guys will be ready on Saturday at Minot State to play hard, play fast, and play together.  They have been bought in since January and I am so proud of their hard work and commitment to the team." 

The Winona State sideline will feature several new faces, both in terms of coaching staff and player personnel, particularly on offense. WSU will be led by offensive coordinator, Isaac Fruechte, in his first season win the Warriors. Fruechte joined Bergstrom this past season after one year with Northern State and has local roots, having played and coached at Caledonia High School, one of the top high school programs in Minnesota.

On offense, Winona State has a deep and experienced slew of running backs, with Ty Gavin and Dominik London at the top of a depth chart that also includes Cair'ron Hendred and transfer Nick McCabe. The WSU receiving corps is similarly deep, with returners Sawyer Maly and Tyler Anderson - both seniors - joined by former University of Illinois standout Ricky Smalling and tight end Jaylen Schleicher, who is coming off a strong 2021 season.  Quarterback Trevor Paulsen has the early nod to call the shots for Winona State under center and is the only signal-caller returning who has taken snaps in a contest for the Warriors. Minot State conceded 445 yards per game to their opponents last year, and the Beavers were outscored on average, 40.45 to 18.55 each contest. Paulsen and company will look to start 2022 where 2021 left off for the Beavers. 

Defensively, Winona State will bring a marquee-level list of performers, led by All-American edge rusher Carter Duxbury, the 2021 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year. However, the Beavers will have to have their collective head on a swivel in week one, as WSU also will roll out All-Region linebacker Clay Schueffner with the first-team defense, and the trio of Luc Leszczynski, Darius Manuel and Joseph Demro features a defensive front-line that is perhaps the best in the NSIC. In the event that Minot State does manage to go downfield in the air, All-Region free-safety Mitch Snitker headlines a secondary that will be dialed in under 26^th year coach Brian Curtin and first-year co-coordinator Spencer Erickson.
 
Special teams is another area where WSU has several returners. Placekicker Jacob Scott returns as the top choice for field goals, PAT's and kickoffs, while Tristan Root will handle the punting duties in week one. Both saw significant action last season, while Morgan White will be the Warriors' long snapper, combining with holder Jake Van Hulzen on placekicking opportunities. At Minot State, the WSU special teams unit will enjoy relatively good kicking conditions, with an new artificial surface and summer-like weather, something not all visitors to Minot get to enjoy.  The special teams unit is coached by Pete Menage.

Winona State – Minot State Notables

• For the first time in 26 years, Winona State will have someone other than Tom Sawyer on the sideline as the head football coach. Bergstrom brings over 17 years of college football experience to Winona State.
• Winona State will be the first opponent for Minot State on new Field Turf at Herb Parker Stadium. The new artificial surface was installed over the summer.
• WSU last played at Minot State in 2017, a 47-7 Warrior win.
• The two teams have not played since 2019, a 49-3 Winona State home victory.
• Winona State has won the last four meetings between the schools, outscoring the Beavers 183-31.
• Since 2013, Winona State has allowed more than one Beaver score in a game only once: In 2013, MSU scored two touchdowns in a 49-14 loss to the Warriors.

That's a Stat!
Minot State football has not won a season-opener - home or away - since at least 2004. Over that 19-year span, MSU was shutout on four occasions, including 2021, a 49-0 loss to Augustana.
 
That's a stat, Too!
It is 637 miles between Winona, Minnesota and Minot, North Dakota. In contrast, the distance between Winona and Cleveland Ohio, 648 miles…Winona and St. Louis, Mo, 517 miles…Winona and Winnipeg, Manitoba, 595 miles.
 
'Bout them Beavers
Head coach: Mike Aldrich, 5^th season, 7-26-0 at Minot State, 29-39 career record.

Top offensive Minot State returners: Ali Mohamed, running back, Mohamed, a junior who led the NSIC in total rushing yards with 1,159 in 2021 and was named a Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American. Four players took snaps at QB last year, with Dawson Macleary playing the most, completing 135 of his 257 attempts.

Top defensive Minot State returners: Knylen Miller-Levi, defensive back who had two interceptions, 43 tackles, and scored a pair of special-teams touchdowns. Kyle Van Berkom led MSU with 72 solo tackles last year.

Minot State special teams notables: Last year, Minot State ran a fake punt featuring Miller-Levi that resulted in an ESPN No. 2 Play-of-the-Day selection.  In 2021, Minot State was just 5-for-12 on field goal attempts. The Beavers punted 54 times last fall, compared to 40 punts by opponents.

Location, Location, Location: Herb Parker Stadium, Minot, N.D.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, September 3. 

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).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.