WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University football team is set to open the 2024 season against Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday, September 5 at 7:00pm in Winona, Minn.
 
The Warriors will host the Cardinals in a nonconference matchup, a rematch of last year's season opener in University Center, Mich. SVSU was victorious in the contest, which was the first all-time meeting between the two schools. Winona State saw themselves down 27-0 in the first half and the Warriors were unable to come back, losing 34-24.
 
Winona State invites all fans to participate in the Warrior Game Day Experience, beginning at 5:00pm at the intersection of Johnson and Mark streets on the campus of WSU. Kickoff for the season opener will be at 7:00pm in Altra Federal Credit Union Stadium.
 
Winona State Notes:

• Last season, WSU finished 5-6 overall and 5-5 within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
• The Warriors enter the 2024 season ranked seventh in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
• The Winona State offense averaged 25.36 points per game a season ago, while the defense allowed 27.09 points/game.
• WSU is 7-3 in the last 10 season openers, including a 4-1 mark at home.
• The 2024 campaign will feature six home games and five away games. Winona State finished 3-2 at home last season and 5-0 in 2022.
• Winona State opens the season under the lights at Maxwell Field for the first time since 2021. WSU is 5-0 in night games at home dating back to 2015.
• Cole Stenstrom started all 11 games for Winona State last season. The University of South Dakota transfer is in his second full season with the Warriors and will look to build on key connections.
• Sylvere Campbell and Kaleb Skelly, both transfers a season ago, led the receiving corps in 2023. Campbell hauled in a team-high six touchdowns and led WSU with 629 receiving yards. Skelly led the Warriors with 45 receptions and garnered 571 yards.
• WSU returns the top three rushers from last season. Cair'ron Hendred led the way with 604 yards and five TDs. Ty Gavin tallied 412 yards on a team-high 100 carries. Quentin Pringle had a strong back half of the season, rushing for 341 yards in seven games.
• WSU returns eight of their top nine tacklers from 2023 Tristan Root, Trey Borske, Griffin Wiegel, Myles Hawthorne, Kyjuan Vengrowsky, Nick Bucaro, Jamon Williams, and Connor Haggerty all look to lead the defensive unit once again this year.
• Jacob Scott and Tristan Root are both back after taking care of kicking and punting duties during 2023. Scott was a perfect 34-34 on PATs and went 13-20 on field goals. Root averaged 41.38 yards on 47 punts with 20 inside the 20.
• Following this week's game, the Warriors travel to Concordia-St. Paul for a 6:30pm kickoff against the Golden Bears on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Saginaw Valley State Notes

• SVSU finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 record and went 3-3 in the GLIAC.
• The Cardinals were selected to finish fourth in the GLIAC for the upcoming season.
• Ryan Brady enters his fifth season as the head coach for Saginaw Valley State.
• Micah Cretsinger (LB) and Brandon Rawls (LB) were both named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List.
• The Cardinals averaged 25.7 points per game and allowed an average of 28.2 points/game in 2023.
• SVSU had a very balanced offensive attack last season, averaging 160.0 yards/game through the air and 164.5 yards per game on the ground.
• Saginaw Valley State won four of their last five contests to close out the 2023 season, with the lone loss being by just three points.
• The Cardinals will hit the road again in Week Two, traveling to Midland, Mich. To face Northwood in The Axe Bowl on September 14.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.