WINONA, Minn. - The Winona State University football team took on the nationally ranked University of Minnesota Duluth in a week five matchup against the Bulldogs. A slow start stymied the Warriors, eventually falling 38-14.
Winona State (2-3, 2-2 NSIC) saw host Minnesota Duluth (5-0, 4-0 NSIC) get on the board quickly in the Bulldogs' Homecoming affair, as UMD would score the first 28 points of the contest. In the third quarter, the WSU offense showed signs up life, scoring a pair of touchdowns in quick succession. However, the Bulldogs would use a ball-control offense to close out the game and limit any further damage by the Warriors.
Final Score: Minnesota Duluth 38, Winona State 14
Attendance: 4,107
Sylvere Campbell had one of his best performances as a Warrior, hauling in six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. WSU teammate
Cooper Nelson had the other touchdown grab in the third quarter, one of three catches for Nelson on the day. The Winona State run game was held in check by Minnesota Duluth, as the Warriors were tagged with -28 yards rushing, due in large part to a season-high eight sacks of
Cole Stenstrom.
How it Happened
Minnesota Duluth opened the scoring in the first quarter when UMD quarterback Kyle Walljasper connected with Daniel Mitchell from 18 yards out for the game's first touchdown.
WSU would hold UMD scoreless for the remainder of the first quarter, but in the second stanza, UMD notched a pair of TD scores. Both touchdowns were passing plays to Sam Pitz, with tosses of 20 yards and 37 yards respectively.
In the first half, Winona State was held scoreless in the opening two quarters of a game for the first time in 2023.
At the Half: Minnesota Duluth 21, Winona State 0
The Bulldogs opened the third quarter with some special teams heroics, as UMD's DaShaun Ames returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a score.
Winona State eventually was able to get on the scoreboard in the third quarter, with
Cole Stenstrom finding
Cooper Nelson from 30 yards. Nelson's touchdown catch capped a nine-play, 81 yard drive.
After Sam PItz notched his third TD reception of the afternoon, a 14-yard pass from Kyle Walljasper, WSU scored again.
Cole Stenstrom found
Sylvere Campbell for a 49-yard score, a quick-strike offensive effort that only took 1:02 off the clock. However, the long-range touchdown toss would prove to be the final scoring play for Winona State in the game.
Minnesota Duluth would finish off their victory with a 35-yard field goal by Curt Cox, pushing the final margin to 38-14 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Beyond The Boxscore
UMD sacked WSU quarterback
Cole Stenstrom eight times in the game.
Jacob Scott saw his field-goal-made streak end at four games; the junior placekicker was 2-for-2 on PATs.
The Bulldogs moved their winning streak over the Warriors to 10 straight victories.
The UMD - WSU contest was played in front of 4,107 fans, the largest crowd to date this year for the Warrior
Winona State Statistical Standouts
Sylvere Campbell, 6 catches, 122 yards, 1 TD.
Keaton Arendt, 5 catches, 46 yards, 2 kickoff returns including a 33 yard effort.
Cooper Nelson, 3 catches, 58 yards, 1 TD
Cole Stenstrom, 23-of-34, 298 yards, 2 TDs
Trey Borske, 5 tackles, 3 TFL's.
Tristan Root, 7 tackles, 1 FF, Fumble Return of 14 yards.
Winona State Team Notables
WSU held scoreless in the first half for the first time in 2023.
UMD become first opponent in four games to score first in the contest against WSU.
Winona State remains perfect on PAT's on the season, sitting at 13-of-13.
UMD Stat Standouts
QB Kyle Walljasper, 122 yards rushing, 11-of-22 for 173 yards & 3 TD's.
Four different Bulldogs threw a pass in the game.
Sam Pitz, 3 reception all for touchdowns.
Drew Hennessey, 6 tackles, 3.5 sacks.
Jacob Mogensen, 6 tackles.
Up Next for Winona State
Winona State remains on the road in week six, as WSU heads to the University of Mary on Saturday, Oct. 7. The Warriors and Marauders are set for a 2 p.m. kickoff in Bismarck, N.D.
