WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University football team remained unbeaten at home in the
Brian Bergstrom era following a dominant 39-16 win over Northern State on Saturday, Sep. 23 in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Winona State (2-2, 2-1 NSIC) put on a clinic of complimentary football in handing Northern State (1-3, 1-3 NSIC) a loss that will likely push the Wolves out of any postseason opportunities. WSU scored in almost every way possible, including a first-quarter safety, and the Warrior run game eventually led the way to victory.
Final Score: Winona State 39, Northern State 16
Attendance: 3,323
Winona State saw
Cair'ron Hendred and
Ty Gavin combine for 186 yards on the ground and a touchdown apiece. Hendred had a 61 yard effort, the longest run of either team, and
Cole Stenstrom completed 18 of 24 attempts for 270 yards and two scores.
Tristan Root and
Clay Schueffner led a Warrior defense that held NSU to just 99 yards rushing on the day while Winona State racked up a season-high six sacks.
Jacob Scott connected on three field goal attempts and was perfect on PAT's in a strong showing for WSU special teams.
How it Happened
For the third time in three games, Winona State scored first through a
Jacob Scott field goal to stake an early lead. Scott connected from 34 yards to give WSU a 3-0 lead at the 11:03 mark of the first quarter.
After Northern State matched Scott's effort with a field goal of their own by Drew Smook, Winona State put together a drive that turned the game as the first quarter came to a close.
Ty Gavin scored on a four-yard run to cap a 13-play, 69-yard drive that used up over four minutes on the clock.
The Wolves muffed the ensuing kickoff following Gavin's scoring run and found themselves pinned in on their own 1-yard line. Two plays later, the Winona State pass rush forced NSU quarterback Anthony Vespo into an intentional grounding penalty while under duress in his own end zone, awarding WSU a safety and a 12-3 lead to end the first stanza.
In the second quarter,
Cair'ron Hendred picked up a full head of steam on a carry at the 11:20 mark and rumbled 61 yards for a score and a 19-3 advantage. The touchdown run was a big part of a big day for Hendred, as he led all rushers with 116 yards on the afternoon.
Northern State would find the end zone for the first time midway through the second quarter, with Vespo connecting with Dakota Larson from 20 yards out, moving the scoreboard to 19-10.
At The Half: Winona State 19, Northern State 10.
Any hope Northern State had of a momentum shift were quickly put to rest when
Cole Stenstrom connected with
Sylvere Campbell for a 47 yard touchdown to give Winona State a 16 point lead at 26-10.
Northern State would score for the last time of the day with a long-range 70-yard bomb from Colton Hackel to Dakota Larson. The try for two failed, leaving the scoreboard at 26-16 Warriors.
The remaining 20 minutes of the contest was decidedly one-sided, with Winona State scoring another passing touchdown - Stenstrom to
Kaleb Skelly from 34 yards - and a pair of
Jacob Scott field goals.
Defensively, WSU notched a pair of four-and-outs in the final minutes of the game to earn the win and hold the Wolves scoreless in the game's final frame. NSU's lone scoring opportunity came just after the start of the fourth quarter, but the Wolves were short and wide on a 43-yard field goal attempt.
Beyond The Boxscore
Winona State remains unbeaten in the
Brian Bergstrom era at home, with the second-year head coach moving to 7-0 in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Saturday featured break-out performances from
Cair'ron Hendred and
Cole Stenstrom offensively, with both players putting up Warrior career-best numbers.
Jacob Scott has now hit at least one field goal in every 2023 contest for WSU and his three makes versus the Wolves was the second-most makes in a game for the junior placekicker.
Winona State Statistical Standouts
Cair'ron Hendred, 13 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD. Averaged nearly 9 yards per carry.
Ty Gavin, 70 yards, 1 TD, 2 receptions for 18 yards.
Cole Stenstrom, 18-of-25 for 270 yards, 2 TD's
Kaleb Skelly, 6 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD
Keaton Arendt, 6 catches, 81 yards.
Tristan Root, 7 tackles
Clay Schueffner, 6 tackles
Kyle Borske, 1.5 sacks, 3 tackles
Winona State Team Notables
WSU accrued 467 yards of total offense, compared to 377 for Northern State.
The Warriors racked up six sacks in the game, a season high.
WSU was 3-of-5 in the red zone on the day.
NSU Stat Standouts
Dakota Larson had 5 catches for 190 yards.
Charlie Larson had 15 total tackles, the most of either team.
Up Next for Winona State
Winona State returns to the road in week five, traveling to the University of Minnesota - Duluth. The Warriors and Bulldogs will kick off at noon at UMD.
