WINONA, Minn -The Winona State University football team and head coach Brian Bergstrom will make the trek north in week three of the 2022 football season, taking on Bemdji State University on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.
 
In week two, Winona State battled back for a 25-17 victory over the University of Mary at Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.  Sophomore sensation running back Ty Gavin registered 27 carries, rushing for nearly 150 yards and a touchdown to help lead a WSU offense that controlled the line of scrimmage, time of possession and ultimately, the final score

The Warriors (2-0 overall | 0-0 NSIC South) will face a Bemidji State squad (0-2 overall | 0-0 NSIC North) that was nationally ranked to begin the season, but have lost their two opening contests of the year, both to quality opponents. The Beavers lost 30-29 to #19 Augustana University last week and fell to MSU-Mankato 37-34 in week one, a loss coming via a late Maverick score.

For the more on Saturday's contest, read on for highlights of the Winona State - BSU matchup below. 

GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live stats, live radio and live video are available at the links above.
• The contest will take place at Chet Anderson Stadium in Bemidji, Minn. 
• Ticket information is available online at www.bsubeavers.com

WINONA STATE STORYLINES

• Running back Ty Gavin is second in the NSIC in rushing yards, running for 149 yards last week after having notched 159 in week one.
• Brian Bergstrom earned his first career home win as a head coach with the 25-17 victory over UMary last week.
• The Warriors have a 4-2 record in football in their last six game vs. BSU, dating back to 2008.
• WSU has won the last three matchups vs. the Beavers, most recently a 27-14 win at Bemidji State in 2019. 
• The last time BSU has beaten Winona State was 2013, a 34-27 Beaver win. 
• In the first three weeks of the season, Winona State will have traveled to Minot State and Bemidji State, two of the longest trips for the Warriors. 
• Trevor Paulsen is set to make his third career start for Winona State at quarterback; the 6'2" junior is from Marion, Iowa. 
• The Warriors notched four sacks last week vs. the Marauders. 
• 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. 
• WSU's defense continues to adjust on the fly and lead the Warriors to victory. After giving up two touchdowns in the game's opening quarter last week, the Warrior defense adjusted to the UMary passing attack and held the Marauders to just 188 yards in total offense.
• Tight end Jaylen Schleicher picked up his first reception of the season vs. UMary and will likely be a key component against Bemidji State this week.

Bemidji State STORYLINES

• Bemidji State is hosting Winona State on their 2022 homecoming weekend.
• The Bemidji State roster features  14 returning starters (10 offense, 4 defense) from last year's team that recorded the first 10-win season in program history. BSU shared the 2021 NSIC Championship, the second title in program history, and won their first-ever NSIC North Division outright last year. 
• Head BSU coach Bolte was named the 2021 NSIC Coach of the Year for the first time in his career last year. 
• BSU quarterback Brandon Alt leads all of Division II with 751 passing yards this season. His 375.5 passing yards per game average also leads the nation while his 55.9 completion percentage ranks fifth in the conference.
• Bemidji State defense leaders are Colton Herman and Stephan Hoffman who have each totaled 13 tackles. Hoffman leads the team with 2.5 tackles for loss while Hoffman has a sack this season. 

WARRIOR NOTABLES:

• Winona State has both lost and benefited from a safety already this year; WSU conceded two points vs. Minot State on a bad snap but gained two points vs. UMary on an end-zone fumble. If a safety occurs vs BSU, it would be the first time in at least 15 seasons that three consecutive safeties have occured in WSU contests. 
• The Warriors were tabbed for fourth in the NSIC South and sixth place overall in the 2022 NSIC Football Poll. 
• Against UMary, Jacob Scott was 1-for-2 in field goal tries, making from 26 but missing from 35. 
• Scott has hit all five of his PAT attempts this year. 
• Trevor Paulsen rumbled to his first-ever rushing TD vs. UMary last week.
• Winona State is 7-of-8 from the red zone so far this year. 
• WSU has converted 32% of their third-down opportunities, going 8-of-25 on the year. 
• Current WSU players Tyler Anderson and Sam Santiago-Lloyd accounted for the three Warrior touchdowns against BSU in 2019. Anderson had a 47-yard pass reception for a score and Santiago-Lloyd had two TD plunges of two and three yards, respectively. 

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.