WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University football team will look to entertain a 2023 Homecoming crowd when they host nationally-ranked Augustana University for a 2 p.m. kickoff in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Winona State (3-3, 3-2 NSIC) will look to move into four-win NSIC territory and hope to notch an impressive upset over unbeaten Augustana (6-0, 5-0 NSIC), currently ranked No. 22 in the AFCA Division II poll. Last week, WSU beat UMary 17-7 while Augustana defeated Southwest Minnesota State 38-6.
Saturday's WSU – Augustana matchup also provides an opportunity for Winona State to remain unbeaten at home in the
Brian Bergstrom era. WSU is 7-0 on the Maxwell Field turf since Bergstrom was named head coach in 2022.
Winona State – Augustana Notables
- Saturday's contest is the 17th meeting of the two schools. Augustana leads the series 9-7.
- The WSU - Augie game in 2022 was won by the Warriors, 24-7 in front of 2,151 fans.
- Winona State is led in scoring by placekicker Jacob Scott. Scott has 45 total points this year, leading the team (10 FG's, 15-of-15 in PATs).
- WSU held UMary to just a single score last week, the best Warrior showing of the season defensively.
- Winona State's QB Cole Stenstrom has a TD pass to Sylvere Campbell in each of the last three games.
- The Warriors have one of the top punting units in the league, with Tristan Root averaging 41.5 yards per effort & league-best 11 kicks inside the 20.
- Winona State has top-5 performer in tackles within the NSIC, with Clay Schueffner notching 7.2 stops a game.
- Schueffner and Tristan Root both feature in the NSIC top-20 for tackles on the season.
- On Saturday, Winona State will have to dent the NSIC's top defense; Augustana concedes a league-best 14.7 points per game.
- The Viking's offense is 6th in the NSIC in points scored per game (34.5), while WSU is 10th at 22.8.
That's a Stat!
In 2022, was also nationally ranked, in the 'Receiving Votes' category, when WSU used a 14-point first quarter to upset the Vikings 24-7.
That's a stat, too!
Last fall, Winona State was the only team to hold Augustana scoreless in the first half. The Vikings scored in the opening 30 minutes of every other 2022 game. The same opportunity exists in 2023 for WSU, as Augustana has scored in the first half of every contest so far this fall.
Viking Vittles
Augustana sits 6-0 and is one of two unbeaten teams in the NSIC.
AU defeated Chadron State 27-3 in week two. Chadron State is well-known as the program that produced NFL receiver, Don Beebe.
Augie defeated Southwest Minnesota State 38-6 last week.
Viking receiver Jack Fisher had three catches for over 160 yards vs. the Mustangs.
Augustana QB Casey Bauman threw three TD passes in the week six win.
Two of Bauman's throws surpassed 75 yards; he had an 82 and 77 yard toss.
Bauman had put up impressive quarterbacking numbers; 1,578 yards and 16 TDs.
Fisher is Augustana's top wide out in terms of yards receiving (431), total catches (19) and has scored four times.
Canyon Bauer leads the Vikings in touchdown receptions with five.
Jarod Epperson is the top Augustana run threat, averaging 60.5 yards each outing.
Peyton Buckley leads the Augustana defense with 40 stops on the season. Buckley also has six pass breakups and a pick.
Location, Location, Location: Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium, Synthetic Turf, Capacity 4,500. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
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.
