MINOT, N.D. -The Winona State University football team and new head coach Brian Bergstrom will kickoff the 2022 season on the road at Minot State on Saturday, September 3 at 1pm. 
 
In Minot, the Warriors will feature a new-look offense and experienced defense in their effort to begin the Bergstrom era 1-0.  Additionally, WSU returns key components to their special teams unit, with all three facets of the team pointing to a strong start to the 2022 season.

Isaac Fruechte, the WSU offensive coordinator who was at Northern State in 2021, will lead the Warriors against a Minot State team that his Wolves offense posted 36 points against in last fall. On defense, co-defensive coordinators Brian Curtin and Spencer Erickson will look for their Warriors to loom large over the Beavers, as WSU features a multi-faceted defensive line and line-backing corps that has talent and experience. Pete Menage oversees a special teams unit that returns placekicker Jacob Scott and punter Tristan Root.

For the more on Saturday's contest, head to this link.  Read on for highlights of the Winona State - Minot State matchup below. 

GAME & FAN INFORMATION

• Live stats, live radio and live video are available at the links above.
• The contest will take place on First Western Back Field at Herb Parker Stadium. 
• Tickets are available online at msubeavertickets.universitytickets.com

WINONA STATE STORYLINES

• Brian Bergstrom takes over the Warrior program in 2022 from Tom Sawyer, who served as the head coach at WSU for 25 years. 
• The Warriors have never lost to Minot State in football since MSU entered the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Winona State has won the last four meetings between the schools, outscoring the Beavers 183-31.
• Trevor Paulsen is set to start for Winona State at quarterback; the 6'2" junior is from Marion, Iowa. 
• The WSU defense has a plethora of pass-rush threats, led by returning AP All-America Carter Duxbury.
• Winona State picked up a high-profile transfer wide receiver in Ricky Smalling, who had a standout career at the University of Illinois.
• Ty Gavin will see a significant number of snaps at running back; the sophomore from Niles, Ill. had his 2021 season cut short due to injury. 
• Tight end Jaylen Schleicher offers a big target passing option to the Warrior attack; the senior from Hammond, Ind. earned 2021 All-Conference and All Region honors. 

Minot State STORYLINES

• The Beavers have not won a season-opener since at least 2008. 
• MSU was 2-9 in 2021 and were 0-7 before earning a win in week eight against Upper Iowa, 17-14. 
• Head coach Mike Aldrich heads into his fifth season, owns a 7-26-0 at Minot State and a 29-39 career record.
• Running back Ali Mohamed, is a junior for the Beavers who led the NSIC in total rushing yards with 1,159 in 2021 and was named a Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American.
• Knylen Miller-Levi is a MSU defensive back who had two interceptions, 43 tackles, and scored a pair of special-teams touchdowns.

WARRIOR NOTABLES:

• Earlier this summer, Winona State named six captains. Tyler Anderson, Sam Santiago-Lloyd and Payton Dachel represent the WSU offense, while Carter Duxbury, Clay Schueffner and  Luc Leszczynski hail from the defense.
• The Warriors were tabbed for fourth in the NSIC South and sixth place overall in the 2022 NSIC Football Poll. 
• Winona State will open up the home portion of their 2022 schedule in week two on Saturday, Sept. 10 against UMary.  Ticket information is available at this link. 
• Although WSU is Bergstrom's first head coaching stop, he brings 17 years of collegiate coaching experience cultivated over stops at South Dakota State,  Augustana University and Gustavus Adolphus College, his alma mater. 

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.